Olympics exemplify rising Chinese influence

"Chinese athletes will begin to win their share of [Olympic] golds and Americans will begin to question our status on the planet", said Charles Freeman, an expert in China Studies at The Center for Strategic Studies (CSIS). He spoke at a discussion on US-China Space Cooperation.

Freeman also said that with the Beijing Olympics beginning this week, many are wondering how relations with with the US will change. He went on to say that he expects immense public anxiety in America during the Olympics due to the event's symbolic nature of China's rise to a global power that threatens US dominance.

Dorothy Reimold, Acting Assistant Administrator for International Aviation at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that the United States needs to continue working closely with Chinese aviation officials to improve efficiency and capacity, especially with increased trade between the two nations. However, she also said that because 80 percent of Chinese air space is controlled by the military, the FAA also must consult with them. Reimold also said that progress in these two areas would be key for addressing growing environmental concerns in the region.