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Event banner for the 2024 Susan Shirk Lecture on U.S.-China Relations, with speaker Fareed Zakaria of CNNSusan Shirk Lecture on U.S.-China Relations

The Susan Shirk Lecture on U.S.-China Relations is part of the UC San Diego Forum on U.S.-China Relations, the only American leadership conference focused entirely on the relationship with China. An eminent scholar of China and a prominent practitioner of U.S. policy toward China, the lecture has been established in honor of Susan Shirk who is professor emeritus at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy and founding chair of the 21st Century China Center.

Winning the Cold Peace: A New Path to U.S.-China Relations
Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024
Venue: The Jeannie, UC San Diego

The 2024 Susan Shirk Lecture on U.S.-China Relations was delivered by Fareed Zakaria, host of the renowned CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS.

Speaker:
  • Fareed Zakaria, host of Fareed Zakaria GPS on CNN, a columnist for The Washington Post, and a bestselling author
Introducer:
Moderator:
  • Stephen J. Hadley, Principal, Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC; former national security advisor to President George W. Bush)

The 21st Century China Center gratefully acknowledges the support of the following sponsors for the Susan Shirk Lecture on U.S.-China Relations. 

East West Bank Foundation, Fong Foundation, Roche Family Foundation, Qualcomm, James Kralik and Yunli Lou, Anonymous.

Past Lectures

2023

Graphic of banner with a navy blue background and gold line elements, with white and gold text noting the named lecture event for Susan Shirk, including a portrait of the 2023 speaker Stephen Hadley.

U.S. Presidential Transitions and the China Policy
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Venue: The Great Hall, UC San Diego

The 2023 Susan Shirk Lecture on U.S.-China Relations welcomed Stephen Hadley, former national security advisor to George W. Bush, and Susan Shirk, founding chair of the 21st Century China Center, in a conversation about presidential transitions and U.S.-China policy. The conversation focused on the China policy transition from George W. Bush to Barack Obama and also touched on policymaking at the highest level in the U.S. and in U.S.-China relations today. 

Welcome Remarks

Speakers:

  • Stephen J. Hadley, Principal, Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC; former national security advisor to President George W. Bush 
  • Susan Shirk, Professor Emeritus and Founding Chair, 21st Century China Center, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (Moderator)

2022

Graphic of banner with a background 3D rendering of cog wheels with USA and China flag colors and patterns, with text noting the named lecture event for Susan Shirk, including a portrait of the 2022 speaker Kevin Rudd.

China’s Shifting Economy and Politics: Impact on U.S.-China Relations
Friday, July 29, 2022
Location: Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine – Roth Auditorium
Speaker: The Honorable Kevin Rudd, President of the Asia Society and 26th Prime Minister of Australia

Kevin Rudd discussed new developments in China’s political economy, including the impending 20th Party Congress and some of the challenges President Xi Jinping is facing due to economic difficulties, and examine their impact on U.S.-China relations moving forward. A reception and a book signing by Kevin Rudd of his newly published book, “The Avoidable War” was held immediately following the lecture on the terrace.

Download Remarks [PDF]