University students, faculty and government officials from all over Georgia traveled to China to teach Chinese government officials about democracy this summer.

The trip was carried out through the International Center for Democratic Governance under the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and was part of an outreach program.

Rongrong Liu, China program coordinator, said the International Center for Democratic Gove-rnance sends faculty and practitioners from Georgia to carry out the in-class training for provincial Chinese government officials.

Later, the Chinese officials will come to the U.S. to visit their instructors and spend time in Georgia.

“The preparation wasn’t too intensive . We learned more about the culture and current events in China and how this might impact our trip,” said Irving Steel, a University student who went on the short-term internship. “There was discussion on [etiquette, from] how to accept a business card to how to politely turn down the next shot of strong Chinese liquor that the Chinese diplomats were sure to offer us.”

Peter Klein, another University student who went on the trip, said it was “a way to let [the Chinese officials] know about American government and how it works.”

Klein said the officials ranged from people in their late 20s to those in their 50s.

“[The trip was] really good for both parties, but I feel like I learned just as much from them as they did from us,” Klein said.

During the lessons, Klein said they discussed issues such as gun control, the war in Iraq and foreign policy.

He said Chinese officials disagreed with the way the American government handled some of them. The officials, however, liked America’s democratic system and thought the U.S. government was very fair.

Klein said the officials did not say American policies were better than Chinese policies.

But they listened and diplomatically absorb the information, he said.

Liu said interaction with China is important because, “there is so much attention on China right now. It is growing so fast that it is important for the University to strategically have a connection to China.”

“After having the most amazing time there, I hope to return to China upon graduation to work and live for a few years before returning to the States.

Having a tremendous international experience through this wonderful program allowed me to be more open to international work, travel, and more,” Steel said.

Application information can be found at http://www.icdg.uga.edu/spotlight_07-04china.php.

The University’s Dean Rusk Center also offers students the opportunity to travel to China and familiarize students with the culture.

The program lasts for three weeks and allows students the chance to study in Beijing and Shanghai, the Web site says.

It is open to University law students as well as students from other universities, foreign law schools and attorneys furthering their education.

“With China coming on the scene so strong in the past couple of years, there is something to be gained. Law students will be dealing more and more with issues dealing with China, said Andre Barbic, assistant director of the Dean Rusk Center.

Barbic said the program is in its third year and is trying to expand the program to add another credit for students in 2008.