Co-organizers Shen Xin (CPAFFC), Philip Tinari (UCCA) and James Chau (CUSEF)

We're coming off an incredible week in Hong Kong. Art Basel, HSBC, Milken Institute, and many others held major events that showcased our city's power in bringing the world together, and its ever-increasing role as a hub for global exchange and innovation. The opening of Kai Tak Stadium, 100 years after it began its life as an airport, was honored not only by three days of the Rugby Sevens, but also by a flyover of a Cathay Pacific aircraft that retraced the famous 45 degree turn pilots performed before landing at the historic venue.

Amidst these events, on March 28th, CUSEF hosted the first-ever U.S.-China Art Dialogue as part of a commitment to expand our work in arts and culture, and to deepen our engagement with non-traditional contributors in the bilateral space. We were honored to welcome speakers representing Art Basel, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Asian Cultural Council.

Xu Bing, artist and former Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Fine Arts

The sculptor Wu Weishan, who serves as Director of the National Art Museum of China, delivered the keynote; while renowned artist Xu Bing, who was Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Fine Arts, engaged in a panel conversation with art curators Philip Tinari and Alexandra Munroe. I was also delighted to moderate a discussion with Noah Horowitz, Allan Warburg, and Daphne King-Yao.

We will share more highlights on video over the coming weeks, but the enduring takeaways were the ideas presented about the role of art at a time when the U.S.-China relationship is still struggling. We cannot overstate the value of culture and the opportunity for artists to inform and shape a new era of tolerance, openness, and understanding.

James Chau in conversation with Allan Warburg (The Donum Estate), Noah Horowitz (Art Basel), and Daphne King-Yao (Alisan Fine Arts, Asian Cultural Council)

Last but not least, I would like to fully recognize the co-organizers, who share our vision for impact: the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art. It was a joy and privilege for CUSEF to work with these two distinguished partners.

James Chau
President

China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF)