Dialogue held to promote China-US youth exchanges and collaboration

On Aug. 28, the 2nd Emerging Voices for U.S.-China Cooperation dialogue was held at the University of San Francisco. Jointly organized by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS) and the Carter Center, the event brought together nearly 50 experts and young scholars from prominent think tanks and universities in both countries. Under the theme "Seeking Peaceful Coexistence in a Multipolar World," the dialogue sought to foster deeper mutual understanding and goodwill among young people, and reinforce people-to-people exchanges to support the long-term, stable development of China-U.S. relations.

Yu Yunquan, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), noted in his address that San Francisco has long been an important hub for people-to-people exchanges between China and the U.S., carrying over a century of shared memories between the two peoples. He stressed that the future of China-U.S. friendship lies in the younger generation, which is why CICG has consistently promoted cultural dialogue and understanding among youth. He also expressed the hope that greater engagement from strategic and academic communities would help support youth development and contribute to the stable and healthy growth of bilateral relations in the years ahead.

Yu Yunquan, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), speaks during the event in San Francisco, Aug. 28, 2025. [Photo/CICG]  

Barbara Smith, vice president of peace programs at the Carter Center, emphasized that cooperation is the long-term and necessary strategic choice for China and the U.S. As the world's two largest economies and most influential countries, they bear a unique responsibility to manage differences constructively. She stressed the importance of proactively identifying shared interests and deepening bilateral collaboration, which not only directly impacts the well-being of both peoples, but also contributes to shaping a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.

Barbara Smith, vice president of peace programs at the Carter Center, speaks during the event in San Francisco, Aug. 28, 2025. [Photo/CICG]  

Li Yafang, deputy editor-in-chief of CICG and president of ACCWS, said that people-to-people exchanges form an invisible yet powerful bridge across the Pacific, offering continuous momentum for the development of bilateral relations. She said ACCWS would join hands with Chinese and American young scholars to work together to rebuild trust, enhance mutual understanding, and dismantle entrenched stereotypes. She also encouraged research collaboration on global issues among the youth, which she believes is essential to keeping China-U.S. relations on a steady and forward-looking path.

Li Yafang, deputy editor-in-chief of China International Communications Group (CICG) and president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, delivers closing remarks at the event in San Francisco, Aug. 28, 2025. [Photo/CICG]  

During the discussions, participating scholars observed that against the backdrop of deepening global multipolarity, China and the U.S. share an important mission to safeguard world peace and stability and to advance common development of humanity. They argued that the two sides should move beyond zero-sum thinking, define clear boundaries in areas of competition, and manage differences through rules and consensus. At the same time, they should proactively explore and expand areas of cooperation and continue to strengthen people-to-people exchanges. Together, these efforts would inject lasting momentum into building a China-U.S. relationship based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.

The Emerging Voices for U.S.-China Cooperation is a dialogue initiative jointly launched by ACCWS and the Carter Center in 2024. It is dedicated to building a bridge for in-depth dialogue between the new generation of Chinese and American scholars.