Dear Focus Reader,

Global leaders gathered in Hong Kong this week for the 6th U.S.-China Hong Kong Forum, hosted by the China-United States Exchange Foundation and co-organized with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).

This year's Forum was themed "Circles for Peace," highlighting collaborative dialogue and innovative approaches to strengthening U.S.-China ties, fostering mutual understanding, and exploring shared solutions for global challenges.

China's Ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, addressed the Forum, saying the recent Busan Summit between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump marked a pivotal moment in bilateral relations. "The Busan Summit is not the finish line, but a new starting point," he said, urging both countries to turn the leaders' consensus into concrete actions.

Christopher Nixon Cox, Board Member of the Richard Nixon Foundation, reflected on his grandfather Richard Nixon's legacy of opening dialogue with China, emphasizing the importance of engaging not just leaders but a wider community to build trust between the U.S., China, and Europe—especially as AI and emerging technologies accelerate global decision-making.

Sessions throughout the day explored key issues in U.S.-China relations, including AI, trade, technology, and security. Highlights included a high-level conversation featuring Charlene Barshefsky, Chair of the National Committee on U.S.–China Relations and former U.S. Trade Representative, Nirupama Rao, former Foreign Secretary of India and former Ambassador of India to both China and the U.S., and Wang Jisi, Founding President, Institute of International and Strategic Studies, Peking University; an AI keynote by Kai-Fu Lee, CEO of 01.AI; a youth panel moderated by Carla Canales, mezzo-soprano and Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School; and remarks from Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner and interim leader of Bangladesh.

One of the panels explored the role of culture and soft power in shaping global perceptions, featuring insights from leading filmmakers, educators, and arts leaders, and moderated by Academy Award winner Ruby Yang. The Forum closed with Flying Tigers: The Legacy of Courage and Cooperation, a session celebrating the historic U.S.-China aviation partnership.

Learn more on the Forum by following us on LinkedIn or checking out our website for exclusive Forum videos and interviews.