Christopher Nixon Cox, grandson of U.S. President Richard Nixon and Founder of the Nixon Dialogue, joined James Chau, President of the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), for an expansive interview to discuss the shifting landscape of global diplomacy. The interview comes on the eve of President Donald Trump’s highly anticipated summit with President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Their conversation explored the legacy of President Nixon’s 1972 opening to China, contrasting that historic era of engagement with today’s fragile geopolitical climate. Mr. Cox and Mr. Chau addressed escalating political flashpoints, the role of sub-surface institutional engagement, and the critical question of leadership in a fractured global order.

Mr. Cox reflected on the importance of diplomatic cooperation from the world's two leading powers, saying “The key to maintaining stability around the world is a strong relationship between China and the United States. That doesn't mean that China and the United States have to agree. It means that China and the United States have to understand each other… and how to work around areas of disagreement.”

On President Trump’s upcoming visit to China, Mr. Cox said, “I have a lot of hope that there can be some big agreements that are announced coming out of this summit.” He added that he sees trade and free capital flows as the most pressing issues to resolve. Mr. Chau added, “What I'm really excited about is that picture of the two leaders with their two spouses in front of an iconic landmark like the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, or the Great Wall. Because that will send a message to Americans and Chinese that their leaders saw this meeting as the most important point on their agenda to do right now — even in a world of competing attentions.”

Highlighting the endurance of people-to-people ties, Mr. Chau underscored the significance of these exchanges, stating: “In an era where high-level diplomacy can be sporadic or performative, it is essential to have continuous, institutional engagement happening beneath the surface. Organizations like CUSEF have been doing this work year-in and year-out.”

Regarding the importance of this continuous, sub-surface engagement, Mr. Cox remarked: “There are so many complexities to the relationship that I think it calls for multiple channels of dialogue. Through that, things can be uncovered, and commonalities can be recognized on both sides. Promoting different sorts of cultural exchanges, sporting exchanges, dialogues, is something that will always be useful in the relationship, whether it's at a high or a low.”

Christopher Nixon Cox (far left), grandson of President Richard Nixon, is shown his grandfather’s portrait by President Trump (second from right) on the White House Colonnade, alongside his mother, Tricia Nixon Cox. (second from left) October 22, 2025.