The Second Jimmy Carter Forum on U.S.-China Relations Forum was successfully held in Hangzhou from March 22 to 23, 2025.
The forum was organized by The Carter Center, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, and the US-China Business Council.
At the opening session, Lu Shan, Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province, welcomed the meeting participants. Then, Shen Xin, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Paige Alexander, CEO of The Carter Center; Wu Xinbo, Director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University; and Sean Stein, President of the US-China Business Council, delivered brief remarks on behalf of the co-organizing institutions.
Following the opening session, Cui Tiankai, Advisor to the Council of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs and former Chinese Ambassador to the United States, as well as Susan Thornton, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific Affairs and Senior Fellow at the Yale University China Center, delivered keynote speeches.
Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, delivered a video address.
Xie Feng pointed out that in recent years, China-U.S. relations have experienced ups and downs and faced numerous challenges, making it even more important to stay true to the original aspirations and follow the right path, drawing valuable lessons from history for the fundamental well-being of bilateral ties. He emphasized three key factors in managing the bilateral relationship: that the historical logic of peaceful coexistence between the two major countries must be understood, that mutual benefit and win-win cooperation are the defining characteristics of China-U.S. relations, and that equal dialogue is the only way to resolve issues.
He expressed hope that the U.S. would work with China in the same direction to implement the important consensus reached during the phone call between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump in January 2025. On the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, both sides should explore a new way of engaging in China-U.S. relations that benefits not only the two countries but also the world.
Xie also noted that China’s Two Sessions had just successfully concluded, setting a GDP growth target of around 5% and introducing policy measures such as a more proactive fiscal policy, a moderately accommodative monetary policy, an all-around expansion of domestic demand, and deepening reform and opening-up. These initiatives will inject strong momentum into China’s modernization and create broader opportunities for countries worldwide.
Click here to watch Ambassador Xie Feng’s speech video.
In her speech, Paige Alexander, President of The Carter Center, stated that the establishment of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China was one of President Carter’s most significant political legacies. Their joint decision changed the United States, changed China, and changed the world. Maintaining peaceful coexistence between China and the U.S. requires courage, wisdom, and patience. The Carter Center is working toward this goal, as are the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, and many other institutions. “Let us work together toward this goal,” she urged.
More than 70 guests from institutions such as the US-China Business Council, Yale University, Fudan University, the Carnegie Tsinghua Center, Peking University, the Quincy Institute, and Renmin University of China attended the forum.
Participants engaged in frank and in-depth discussions on topics including China-U.S. economic and trade relations, technological and academic exchanges, regional security challenges, and managing U.S.-China competition, offering insights and recommendations for the future development of bilateral ties.
During the forum, the U.S. Academy of Asian Culture hosted an art exhibition featuring renowned painter Wu Limin’s works and a solo concert by Qiu Shuwei.
The Jimmy Carter U.S.-China Relations Forum is a non-governmental exchange platform established to honor former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his contributions to the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. The forum aims to enhance mutual understanding and dialogue between the peoples of both countries, promote cooperation and communication across various fields, and jointly address global challenges.
The inaugural Jimmy Carter U.S.-China Relations Forum was held in Atlanta on January 9, 2024.
