CUSEF Blog

The world changed when President Richard Nixon visited Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou in February 1972. Those seven days paved the way, seven years later, for the normalization of U.S.-China diplomatic ties, which in turn helped bring forward the end date of the Cold War and ushered in a new era of global peace and prosperity. But none of these events would have been possible were it not for Dr. Henry Kissinger, the American Secretary of State whose secret trips to China in 1971 led to Nixon’s own historic journey one year later. Dr. Kissinger served as Honorary Advisor of the China-United States Exchange Foundation from its establishment in 2008 until his passing. In this role, he worked closely with our Founder and Chairman Emeritus Mr. Tung Chee-hwa. They shared a long, personal friendship based on their commitment to the well-being of the American and Chinese people. Read More

Last week, our annual Hong Kong Forum on U.S.-China Relations was opened by Ambassador Nicholas Burns and Ambassador Xie Feng in a notable expression of public unity—followed 24 hours later by the confirmation that President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping would meet for the first time in a year. The China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF) is proud to serve as a platform that encourages dialogue between both sides and supports the conditions needed for the two leaders to come together in California. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Hong Kong Forum, and please don’t forget to leave your comments in the Call to Action here. We want to learn and we want to improve. Read More

Thanks for reading this first entry into our new blog, ‘Harbor Connect,’ a space where I will share my ideas and thoughts about the world, and what we’re doing at the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF). We’ve named this blog ‘Harbor Connect’ in tribute to Hong Kong, where CUSEF is based, and in recognition of its historic role through the centuries. Home to one of the world’s largest and most iconic harbors, Hong Kong has served as a safe passage for trade, as a refuge for people who have found sanctuary here, and as a meeting point for diverse cultures and perspectives. Trust, connections, and understanding are the cornerstones of our work at CUSEF. On November 9-10, international figures who share our concern for the human condition will meet at the Hong Kong Forum on U.S.-China Relations. Read More

Today, Camp David became a focal point once again as President Joe Biden and the leaders of Japan and South Korea met for a historic trilateral summit. Appearing jointly at a press conference following their meeting, Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, touted a “new era of partnership” that includes expanded security and economic cooperation, annual military exercises, and other mechanisms to deepen their alliance. The three leaders took special care to frame their meeting, saying it was “not about China.” However, it is widely seen as a move to counter China’s growing influence in the region, with a number of potential flashpoint issues such as Taiwan, the South China Sea, and a nuclearized North Korea. Read More

As a Japan Studies student, and one interested in East Asia regional relations, I knew that our time in China was going to be a historically sensitive one. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made his remarks commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II the day before I left home, and Beijing’s big parade would occur just a few days after I got back. Being able to observe the atmosphere across three Chinese cities really helped me perceive nuances of this period that I would have missed by watching events unfold through the eyes of American media. Read More