Discusses the importance of the impact of Sino-US strategic competition on the international landscape amidst profound changes unseen in a century, emphasizes the external influence of the United States on China's modernization efforts, points out the consensus on US competitive policies toward China, and highlights the long-term, comprehensive, and overarching nature of Sino-US diplomacy. Simultaneously, it notes that under the complex backdrop of Sino-US relations, there is a gap between China's research on US issues and decision-making needs, necessitating the optimization of disciplinary structures, improvement of research organization methods, and the promotion of specialized, scientific, and systematic policy analysis.

I. Basic Status of American Studies Discipline Construction in China

Introduces the basic status of the construction of the American Studies discipline in China. Chinese regional and country studies started relatively late but have developed into a first-level discipline under interdisciplinary categories. Initially focused mainly on the Third World, American Studies entered a phase of disciplinary, specialized, and systematic development after the reform and opening-up, achieving fruitful results. Currently, it primarily focuses on six areas: Sino-US relations, US foreign policy, domestic politics, economics, socio-cultural issues, and US history. Research is concentrated within the university system, such as Peking University and Fudan University, with research institutes also present in the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences system. There are three major professional associations in China and several academic journals dedicated to publishing on American topics.

II. Deficiencies in Domestic American Studies in China

Points out various deficiencies in domestic American Studies in China, including a small and dispersed research workforce, incomplete research agendas, lack of in-depth research content, and simplistic research methodologies. In terms of serving decision-making, there is a lack of systematic, strategic, and forward-thinking approaches, low policy relevance, and few feasible recommendations. Regarding guiding public opinion, there is insufficient initiative and proactivity, with many responses being reactive and post-event, while efforts to shape discourse and set agendas are limited. These issues need to be gradually overcome in the long-term process of discipline construction. However, the Chinese academic community in American Studies cannot afford to wait and must adapt to changing circumstances, conduct more policy-relevant, reality-oriented research, and promote the transformation of research outcomes into thought products that guide public opinion.

III. Several Suggestions for Promoting Organized Research

Proposes six suggestions for promoting organized research: First, systematically cultivate specialized talent, expand the research workforce, and optimize its structure. Second, promote the growth of academic communities, facilitate interdisciplinary knowledge integration, and build an autonomous knowledge system. Third, construct a high-quality "Regional and Country Studies Project Pool," soliciting topics based on major national strategic needs. Fourth, improve the mechanisms for project approval and review, and refine the disciplinary evaluation system. Fifth, build specialized databases for American Studies, integrate resources, and encourage field research. Sixth, strengthen international exchanges and external communication, deepen academic exchanges, and expand networks.

IV. Promoting Discipline Construction to Better Serve Work Related to the United States

Emphasizes the importance of enhancing the construction of the American Studies discipline, pointing out the need to proceed from the height of national strategy, deepen systematic research across multiple fields concerning the United States, build a knowledge system for American Studies with Chinese characteristics, and serve national decision-making. Simultaneously, it is necessary to conduct research centered on key issues of the central leadership, combine basic and applied research, and draw on mature international experiences, such as the American Studies models of the Soviet Union and Japan, to improve research quality and depth.