Former top Asia diplomat joins US-China student exchange initiative

The State Department's former top Asia diplomat is joining the advisory council of the 100,000 Strong Foundation, the nonprofit announced Thursday.

The foundation is an offshoot of the 100,000 Strong Initiative that was launched in 2010 to expand and diversify the body of Americans studying in China. Kurt Campbell, then the assistant secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, led that initiative.

“The mission of this organization is not only important, it’s personal,” Campbell said in a statement. “I am absolutely convinced that the future of the US-China relationship rests with our young people who must know one another, understand each other and be able to work together to confront our global challenges.”

Campbell left the State Department earlier this month and is set to take over as chairman of the board of the Center for a New American Security, according to Foreign Policy. His replacement at the State Department has not yet been named.