Max Baucus, former U.S. envoy to China, advocates for increased people-to-people exchanges between China and the U.S as a way to promote understanding. He says that deep down, we all have the same hopes and desires in life, which is something that can unite us all.

In this interview, Max Baucus, former U.S. envoy to China, discusses the problem of increasing distrust between China and the United States, and how China’s role on the global stage has evolved over the years.

Neil Bush, Founder and Chairman of the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations, discusses the foundation's mission, his father's lasting legacy in U.S.-China relations, and the importance of cultural exchanges.

Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States of America said in his opening address at the 2023 Hong Kong Forum on U.S-China Relations, “The theme of the Forum this year is highly relevant in the context of the current international situation and China-U.S. relations. It reflects the vision and courage to foster new opportunities amid crises and open up new horizons on a shifting landscape.” “As the world is emerging from the pandemic, China-U.S. relations also need to come out of the woods,” added Xie Feng.

Nicholas Burns, Ambassador of the United States of America to the People's Republic of China, said in his opening address at the 2023 Hong Kong Forum on U.S-China Relations, “I can report to you this afternoon that the U.S.-China relationship is more stable, and there is certainly better communication between our governments. That wasn’t even the case just six months ago. That does not mean that the relationship is not competitive, because it still is. It does not mean we don't have major differences, because we still do across the board. But it does mean that we're better connected and better able to manage these differences between Washington and Beijing responsibly. In my world of diplomacy, that's progress.”

In this interview, Mel Gurtov, a professor at Portland State University, discusses his recent book, Engaging China: Rebuilding Sino-American relations, which he wrote to address the rising tensions between the United States and China.

Reflecting on his experience in China as the U.S. Ambassador appointed by President Obama, Max Baucus shares his "three P's" approach—patience, positivity, and persistence—as keys to productive engagement. As the relationship experiences profound challenges, there is an increased need for more people-to-people exchanges, he says. Baucus speaks with James Chau of China-US Focus.

In this interview, Max Baucus, former U.S. senator and the U.S. Ambassador to China from 2014-2017, reflects on building trust both personally and diplomatically. He emphasizes honesty, constructive communication, and consistent effort as crucial elements in cultivating trust. He suggests that sustained collaboration is essential despite ups and downs, underlining the necessity to work towards trust even amidst geopolitical complexities.