How much do we know about US college students?

"From University to the World 2015", an annual dialogue between Chinese and American students is held on Tuesday in Beijing. [Photo/CRIENGLISH.com]

An annual dialogue between American and Chinese college students has taken place in Beijing. This year's event has asked the question: How much do we know about each other?

In an attempt to answer it, college students from Chinese and American universities have sat down together to share their understanding of the Sino-US dynamic through their life at college.

William Weightman, a panelist from Middlebury College in the US, says he believes there is an outdated mindset in the United States about what is happening here in China.

"I think that it's quintessential that Americans improve their understanding of Chinese people, Chinese language and Chinese culture. As an American, I can say the biggest room for improvement is for understanding different political cultures that exist in our two countries. I think that there is a very strong misunderstanding of what the Chinese government is, how it functions, and how it makes decisions. Some of the current rhetoric you would hear in the United States is that China is authoritarian and the government doesn't represent the people. But I have talked to many Chinese people that have presented opposite opinions that have broadened my perspective and helped me think how government functions in different context."

Wu Benyang studies at the University of International Relations in China. She says she believes one of the biggest challenges for people in China is to better-understand how the political systems differ.

"The biggest impediment would be we think differently, so it would be hard for me to understand other people's viewpoints, like it would be hard for my country to understand their diplomatic policy from their perspective. Again that's why communication is so important between Chinese people and American people, especially the young people. And I'm very glad that I'm here."