On November 9-10, 2023, the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF) will welcome global dignitaries to the “Hong Kong Forum on U.S.- China Relations,” its landmark annual meeting. Titled "Change and Progress" and co-organized with the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), the conference will recognize shifts in the bilateral relationship, while embracing the momentum of new optimism to drive outcomes and progress. 

Officials from both China and the United States will open the Forum—Xie Feng, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States of America, and Nicholas Burns, Ambassador of the United States of America to the People's Republic of China—via video remarks, as well as two Nobel Peace Prize winners: José Ramos[1]Horta, President of Timor-Leste, and Muhammad Yunus, the economist who pioneered the concepts of microfinance and microcredit. 

Mr. James Chau, President of CUSEF, said, “Forty-five years ago, the world changed for good 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 challenges we collectively face are greater than any differences that may exist and, as we mark our 15th anniversary, CUSEF is honored to be in service to the most impactful bilateral relationship globally. But all sides must be willing to listen, lean into compassion, and prioritize the well-being of greater humanity."

Speakers participating in-person include: Charlene Barshefsky, 12th United States Trade Representative; Mogens Lykketoft, President of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly; Max Baucus, 11th U.S. Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China; Bi Jingquan, Executive Vice Chairman, China Center for International Economic Exchanges; Shyam Saran, former Foreign Secretary of India; Bhokin Bhalakula, former President of Parliament and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand; Zhu Min, former Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; Bernhard Schwartländer, Global Health Envoy of Germany; Stephen Roach, Senior Fellow, Jackson Institute of Global Affairs, Yale University; Neil Bush, Founder and Chairman, George H.W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations, and more. 

The geographical range of speakers reflects the global impact of the U.S.-China relationship, and the Hong Kong Forum’s ambition to build an inclusive approach to solutions-building. In addition to the High-Level Plenary, the Hong Kong Forum will feature five panel sessions where experts will shape the discussion on trade and economy, science and technology, people-to-people exchanges, global challenges, and international finance—and two roundtables that will address international security and the future of Hong Kong.