(October 26, 2023, Hong Kong) The China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF) has elected The Honourable Tung Chee-hwa as Chairman Emeritus. Mr. Tung, First Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, has served as Chairman of CUSEF since establishing the non-profit organization in 2008.
The Board of Governors elected Mr. John Zhao as Chairman of CUSEF and Mr. Andy Tung as Vice Chairman of CUSEF. Dr. Victor Fung, a founding Vice Chairman of CUSEF, will continue to serve in this position. Mr. James Chau was appointed President of CUSEF.
In a statement, Mr. John Zhao, Chairman of CUSEF, said: “I deeply respect and appreciate Mr. Tung Chee-hwa for his extraordinary vision. By establishing CUSEF, he created a ground-breaking global platform that serves the most significant relationship of our time. In this crucial moment, our mission is more important than ever. I am indebted to the Board of Governors for their unwavering trust and support as we continue the inspiring work initiated by Mr. Tung Chee-hwa. Both Andy Tung and I are grateful to Dr. Victor Fung for graciously agreeing to remain as Vice Chairman of CUSEF, providing continuity in a time of change.”
The leadership progression coincides with CUSEF’s 15th anniversary this year and the 45th anniversary of normalization of U.S.-China relations on January 1, 2024. The exemplary legacy of its Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Tung Chee-hwa, will remain at the core of the Hong Kong-based organization’s values and principles.
Mr. John Zhao said: “It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Mr. James Chau as the inaugural President of CUSEF. This is a major development in our history with the Foundation previously being led by executive directors. Mr. Chau is a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and a highly regarded international broadcaster who has interviewed world leaders in politics, science and culture. The Board of Governors has full confidence in Mr. Chau and his leadership—and his ability to expand our professional team to anticipate and respond to the challenges and opportunities in the bilateral relationship.”
On November 9-10, CUSEF will welcome international dignitaries to the Hong Kong Forum on U.S.-China Relations, its landmark annual meeting. China’s Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng and Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus will address the conference by video, while those traveling to Hong Kong in-person include: Charlene Barshefsky, 12th United States Trade Representative; Bi Jingquan, Executive Vice Chairman of the China Center on International Economic Exchanges; Mogens Lykketoft, President of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly; Max Baucus, 11th U.S. Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China; Zhu Min, former Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; Shyam Saran, former Foreign Secretary of India; and Bhokin Bhalakula, former President of Parliament and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand.
CUSEF is leveraging Hong Kong’s unique role as an international center for finance and business, and as a metropolitan center underpinned by the advantages provided by “One Country, Two Systems.” In addition to convening key figures from the U.S. and China, this year’s Hong Kong Forum strategically positions global stakeholders in a relationship of global consequences—with speakers from regions including Europe, Asia and the Pacific. CUSEF is also advancing its engagement with people in Hong Kong who believe in its mission and contribute towards its impact.
