CICG hosts high-level think tank dialogue on China-US relations in Beijing

On May 27, the China-U.S. High-Level Think Tank Dialogue themed "Expand People-to-People Ties, Foster Mutual Trust in China-U.S. Relations" was held in Beijing. The dialogue was co-hosted by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS) under China International Communications Group (CICG) and The Carter Center of the U.S. Yu Yunquan, vice president of CICG, attended and delivered remarks at the event.

Yu Yunquan, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), speaks at a think tank dialogue on China-U.S. relations held in Beijing, May 27, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Yu said that a new direction toward a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability has taken shape, injecting valuable certainty into bilateral think tank cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Think tanks should strive to dispel prejudices and biases, clear up misunderstandings, and foster objective and rational mutual understanding. While respecting differences, they should seek common ground, helping both peoples gain an authentic, diversified, and multi-dimensional understanding of each other. Yu expressed readiness to partner with U.S. counterparts to build more mechanisms for people-to-people exchanges and youth dialogues, continuously cultivating young professionals and contributing ideas and concrete actions to the sound and steady development of China-U.S. relations.

Christopher Hobbs, deputy director of peace strategy and operations at The Carter Center, speaks at a think tank dialogue on China-U.S. relations held in Beijing, May 27, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Christopher Hobbs, deputy director of peace strategy and operations at The Carter Center, pointed out that The Carter Center attaches great importance to its regular cooperation framework with Chinese partners. He said this marks their fourth joint dialogue, proving bilateral cooperation has evolved into a mature and steady new stage. He expressed hope that the dialogue would pool collective wisdom, deepen mutual trust on security, economic, and global governance issues, and chart a clear, sustainable path for future generations. He also called on both sides to maintain the momentum of dialogue to tackle pressing global challenges.

Li Yafang, deputy editor-in-chief of China International Communications Group (CICG) and president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, delivers a closing speech at a think tank dialogue on China-U.S. relations held in Beijing, May 27, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Li Yafang, deputy editor-in-chief of CICG and president of ACCWS, noted in her speech that the dialogue is a key follow-up to the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries and an embodiment of think tanks' commitments. To advance people-to-people exchanges and bilateral ties, she stressed think tanks need to fulfill three core roles: fostering impartial mutual understanding, facilitating youth exchanges, and taking concrete steps to manage divergences. ACCWS stands ready to cooperate with all partners to bring more goodwill, rationality, and confidence to China-U.S. relations, she said.

Participants in a think tank dialogue on China-U.S. relations pose for a group photo in Beijing, May 27, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Experts present at the dialogue agreed that China and the U.S. enjoy extensive room for cooperation, and stable China-U.S. relations are in the fundamental interests of both nations. China-U.S. cooperation on energy security, green transition, equitable and stable trade, regional conflict prevention, and crisis management will boost global sustainable development and shared prosperity. China and the U.S. should join hands to fulfill major-country responsibilities to inject greater stability and certainty into world peace and development, they said.

A high-level think tank dialogue themed "Expand People-to-People Ties, Foster Mutual Trust in China-U.S. Relations" is held in Beijing, May 27, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

The dialogue assembled over 50 experts and scholars from top-tier universities and think tanks for in-depth discussions on people-to-people exchanges and multi-pronged pathways to bolster strategic mutual trust. It has further deepened mutual understanding between Chinese and American scholars, with participants anticipating expanded regular dialogues to deliver think tank insights and practical solutions for the sound and steady development of China-U.S. relations.