On November 15-16, the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), in partnership with the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), will welcome distinguished global leaders to the annual “U.S.-China Hong Kong Forum” — a leading, global event on the bilateral relationship. This year’s event, titled Reflection and Forecast, takes place at a pivotal time following the U.S. presidential election and aims to encourage frank solutions-building, based on high-level dialogue and to create a new path for U.S.-China relations and broader global stability.
The opening remarks will be delivered by China’s Ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, and U.S. Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, will deliver an address to the Forum. Bi Jingquan, Chairman of China Center for International Economic Exchanges will also speak at the opening.
There will also be a High-Level Dialogue, led by Victor Fung, Vice Chairman of CUSEF and Chairman of the Fung Group, and featuring Boris Tadić, First President of Serbia, alongside noted U.S.-China leaders such as Charlene Barshefsky, Chair of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and 12th U.S. Trade Representative, and Joseph Tsai, Chairman of Alibaba Group. This year’s Forum is notable for the participation of Lu Kang, Vice Minister of the International Department, CPC Central Committee, who will speak during the opening.
The gathering will delve into pressing questions shaping the global future, including the impact of the 2024 U.S. election on U.S.-China relations, the outlook for trade and economic relations, and the role of cultural and people-to-people exchanges in bridging divides. It will also explore whether the two nations can manage competition, find space for cooperation, and address the challenges of climate change, global health, and security concerns.
Uniquely, representatives of three U.S. presidential families will attend the Hong Kong Forum in person: Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush. Additional noteworthy speakers include Cui Tiankai, former Vice Foreign Minister of China and Ambassador of China to the U.S.; Max Baucus, former U.S. Ambassador to China and Senator from Montana; Dennis Wilder, a renowned intelligence analyst formerly with the CIA; and Rick Waters, until recently the top China policy expert at the U.S. State Department. In addition to the High-Level Plenary, the Forum will feature five panel sessions that highlight a commitment to actionable insights and pathways forward, and special tributes to President Jimmy Carter and the late Dr. Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State who served CUSEF as its Honorary Advisor from its founding in 2008 until his passing last year. Please click here for the full agenda and speaker list.
The geographical range of speakers from countries including Colombia, the Netherlands, UK, Australia, Chile, India, and Indonesia, reflects the global impact of the U.S.-China relationship, the Forum’s ambition to build an inclusive approach to solutions-building, and the necessity of broad, diverse voices in shaping responses to the challenges that transcend borders, emphasizing the vital role of third-party stakeholders.
James Chau, President of CUSEF, noted the Forum’s unique role in today’s divided landscape: “At a time of significant change and uncertainty following the U.S. elections, of which the results are still unclear, one thing remains sure: the U.S.-China relationship remains one of the most consequential in the world. Our discussions are an opportunity to rise above immediate challenges and look forward with the optimism and creativity needed to achieve progress for humanity.”
Mr. Chau also expressed, “The world changed for the better 45 years ago, when the U.S. and China normalized relations. It triggered a new era of economic prosperity, brought forward the end date of the Cold War, and created important connections among 1.7 billion people in both countries. While the conditions today are complex, there is no reason why we cannot replicate the same success — and usher humanity into an improved era where poverty, climate change, and food insecurity are consigned to history.”
The first day of the Forum will be open plenary sessions, which are accessible to the media, while the second day will consist of closed-door, off-record roundtables, where select leaders and experts will have the opportunity to explore complex issues in greater depth.
James Chau, President of CUSEF, noted the U.S.-China relationship remains one of the most consequential in the world. The US-China Hong Kong Forum 2024 is an opportunity to rise above immediate challenges and look forward with the optimism and creativity needed to achieve progress for humanity.