The China-US Exchange Foundation has since 2008, sponsored the Sanya Initiative, a series of annual informal dialogues that brings together retired senior military officials from China and the U.S. for the purpose of deepening understanding on issues of defense and security, and to build stronger personal relations between the participants. The first of this series of informal meetings was held in Sanya, China, followed by a second meeting in Hawaii, USA, in 2009 and a third meeting in Hangzhou, China, in 2010. In 2012, with the support of East West Institute, the fourth meeting was held in Annapolis, US. As an unofficial dialogue with strong support from both governments, the Sanya Initiative provides a more candid, personal, and less political platform on which to discuss key issues between the two countries. We believe that a sustained and reliable long-term military relationship between China and the US is inducive to both countries’ well-being, prosperity and growth.
