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.

2025 UC San Diego Forum

"China and U.S.-China Relations: Navigating Uncertainty in a Changing World"
Aug. 6–9, 2025 | La Jolla, CA

This year's UC San Diego China Forum will bring together leading voices from government, academia, business, media and the military to explore the evolving dynamics of U.S.-China relations in a rapidly shifting global landscape. Over three days, sessions will probe China's technological trajectory, regional perceptions of its power, diverging U.S. policy approaches and the challenges of managing military competition. TED-style talks and in-depth discussions will also explore internal developments within China—from demographics and youth to private business—while also examining how multinational firms navigate rising geopolitical and regulatory pressures.

Through a mix of structured panels and interactive conversations, the forum seeks to illuminate the strategic choices ahead and identify pragmatic paths forward in this consequential relationship.

The 2025 forum is by invitation only.

Thank You

Thank you to our faculty and researchers, our partners and generous donors, and all past forum attendees for their ongoing support. All funds for the forum are raised from private sources.

We are grateful to the following sponsors for their generous support for the 2025 China Forum.

• Anonymous (3)
• James Kralik and Yunli Lou
• Qualcomm
• Stephen A. Schwarzman
• The Asia Group