UC San Diego China Forum

The relationship between the U.S. and China is the most important, difficult and vital bilateral relationship in the world today. Given the rapid changes taking place in U.S.-China relations, the question of how to preserve a foundation for cooperation between the two nations while also competing with each other has never been more urgent.

The UC San Diego Forum on U.S.-China Relations, also known as the UC San Diego China Forum, is the nation's premier platform for broad-minded, bipartisan and strategic discussions on the relationship. It is co-chaired by Charlene Barshefsky, Kurt Campbell, Stephen Hadley and Susan Shirk, four veteran policymakers and students of China, and attended by thought leaders from a wide spectrum of backgrounds.

We believe that managing this complex and fraught relationship requires a whole-of-society approach, beyond just government-to-government relations.

In 2025 we launched the Washington China Forum, a new collaborative effort with the Council on Foreign Relations' China Strategy Initiative.