Past Forums
The question of how the U.S. and China coexist and compete in the decades ahead will be the defining foreign policy issue of the twenty-first century. As disputes over trade, security, technology and ideology intensify, we face the task of simultaneously managing the competition, protecting national security, and preserving the possibility of cooperation on common problems like climate change. Finding solutions and preventing the outbreak of all-out hostilities is a complex challenge that will require all the wisdom, innovation and skillful planning American society can muster.
The UC San Diego Forum on U.S.-China Relations (“China Forum” in short) is the first ongoing high-level forum focused entirely on the U.S.-China relationship. It takes advantage of UC San Diego’s location on the Pacific and the depth of China expertise at the 21st Century China Center at the School of Global Policy and Strategy.
2024 Summer
The 2024 UC San Diego China Forum was held on August 7-10, 2024 in La Jolla, California.
The summer forum gathered a record number of experts to explore how the rapidly changing global landscape impacts U.S.-China relations. The forum started with the Susan Shirk Lecture on U.S.-China Relations delivered by Fareed Zakaria, host of Fareed Zakaria GPS at CNN, entitled: “Winning the Cold Peace: a New Path to U.S.-China Relations.”
In the days that followed, participants delved beyond bilateral issues, examining China's economic shifts, grassroots developments, and the role of middle powers. Lively debates centered on the future of China's economy, U.S. strategies, and the desired endgame of U.S. policy. Small group discussions aimed to define the key elements of a bipartisan approach toward China.
Meet the Participants (PDF)
Video: Fareed Zakaria – Winning the Cold Peace: a New Path to U.S.-China Relations
Article: Fareed Zakaria of CNN to speak on U.S.-China Relations at UC San Diego on August 7
Key Takeaways (PDF)
2024 Winter
The forum was held in Washington, D.C. from Jan. 30–31, 2024 in partnership with the Council on Foreign Relations.
It focused on the theme of how both the U.S. and PRC governments are taking measures to stabilize relations. The forum featured over 75 top policymakers, business leaders and esteemed scholars to share knowledge and shape the trajectory of U.S.-China policy. The forum is by invitation only. Chatham House rules are applied to ensure maximum candor from all participants.
In a public talk as part of the forum, national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with Stephen J. Hadley, forum co-chair and board member of the Council on Foreign Relations, about the U.S. approach to sustaining an effective China strategy. The talk drew around 200 attendees in person and thousands who streamed live online.
Meet the Participants (PDF)
Video: The Future of U.S.-China Relations
Article: "UC San Diego forum maps the future of U.S.-China relations"
Remarks by Robert Zoellick (PDF)
8 Key Takeaways (PDF)
2023
The fifth forum was held in La Jolla, California from July 25–29, 2023.
It focused on the theme of developing an enduring and effective China policy. The forum featured thought leaders, policymakers, academics, business leaders, policy experts, journalists and military personnel from the U.S. in an in-depth, multi-day examination of three sets of interrelated issues. The forum is by invitation only. Chatham House rules are applied to ensure maximum candor from all participants.
In a public talk as part of the forum, Stephen Hadley, former national security advisor to George W. Bush, and Susan Shirk, founding chair of the 21st Century China Center, discussed 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.
Meet the Participants (PDF)
Video: U.S. Presidential Transitions and the China Policy
Sponsors
East West Bank Foundation, Fong Foundation, Roche Family Foundation, Qualcomm, James Kralik and Yunli Lou, Anonymous
2022
The fourth forum was held in La Jolla, California from July 28 – 31, 2022.
It focused on the theme of how the U.S. and China coexist and compete in the decades ahead will be the defining foreign policy issue of the twenty-first century. The Forum is by invitation only. Chatham House rules are applied at the forum to ensure maximum candor from all participants.
Meet the Participants (PDF)
8 Key Takeaways (PDF)
Video: China’s Shifting Economy and Politics: Impact on U.S.-China Relations
Download Remarks (PDF)
Sponsors
East West Bank Foundation, Fong Foundation, Roche Family Foundation, Qualcomm, James Kralik and Yunli Lou, Anonymous
2021
The third forum was held virtually on Dec. 13 – 14, 2021.
The Forum was by invitation only. Chatham House rules were applied at the forum to ensure maximum candor from all participants.
Meet the Participants (PDF)
14 Key Takeaways (PDF)
2020
The second forum was held in La Jolla, California from Jan. 29 – Feb. 2, 2020.
The Forum held a virtual session to discuss updates on domestic political developments in China during the pandemic, the bilateral technology contest and the fallout of Hong Kong on the question of Taiwan.
Meet the Participants (PDF)
Video: Between Competition and Cooperation: The Future of the U.S.-China Relationship
Media Coverage
Remarks by Ambassador Cui Tiankai at the Forum on US-China Relations
Feb. 1, 2020, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America
(English) (Chinese)
China, U.S. should enhance strategic coordination on world views, says Chinese ambassador
Feb. 2, 2020, Xinhua
(English) (Chinese)
China, U.S. should enhance strategic coordination: Ambassador
Feb. 3, 2020, China Plus
(English) (Chinese)
Sponsors
Anonymous, The Asia Group Foundation, Kurt M. Campbell, East West Bank Foundation, Fong Foundation, Legler Benbough Foundation and Qualcomm.
2019
The inaugural forum was held in La Jolla, California from August 12–16, 2019.
Its purpose was to convene an independent and sustaining community of thought leaders and policy experts to foster creative thinking on how to advance U.S.-China relations and bridge the growing gap between Washington, D.C. and Beijing, China. The Forum was by invitation only. Chatham House rules were applied at the forum to ensure maximum candor from all participants.
Meet the Participants (PDF)
15 Key Takeaways (PDF)
Video: Finding a New Equilibrium: Insights on U.S.-China Ties from High-Level Practitioners
Media Coverage
Former National Security Advisors and Chinese Consul General To Open UC San Diego Forum On US-China Relations
Aug. 12, 2019, Susan Shirk, featured on KPBS Midday Edition
Democrats need to stop running scared on foreign policy
Aug. 13, 2019, David Ignatius, The Washington Post
Generational clash emerges among U.S. experts in China policy debate
Aug. 17, 2019, Ellen Nakashima, The Washington Post
Sponsors
The Asia Group Foundation, Coril Holdings Ltd., East West Bank, Legler Benbough Foundation and Qualcomm, and individual donors Kurt M. Campbell and Anonymous.