Against the backdrop of recent high-level meetings between the Chinese and US presidents, the conclusion of the US midterm elections and the upcoming APEC summit in Shenzhen, the 7th US-China Hong Kong Forum will bring together political leaders, former diplomats and international figures to examine the future of bilateral relations and ways to sustain dialogue amid a changing global landscape.
The three-day forum, to be held from Nov. 15 to 17 under the theme "Tomorrow Will Be Better Than Today", is presented by the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF) and co-organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Its programme will focus on the implications of recent diplomatic engagement, shared global challenges and the role of HK as a platform for international exchange.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday (Nov. 10), CUSEF President James Chau said the forum came at a significant moment for China-US relations, following meetings between the two countries' presidents in Beijing and Washington this year.
The question now, he said, was how such high-level engagement could be translated into sustained communication and practical cooperation, particularly when differences between the two sides remained.
Chau also pointed to the possibility of further encounters between the leaders in Shenzhen and Miami, although no such meetings have been confirmed. He described diplomatic engagement as an ongoing process, stressing the importance of maintaining channels of communication beyond individual meetings.
US midterm elections and APEC put HK's role in focus
The forum comes in the wake of the US midterm elections, with the results set to reshape the political landscape in Washington. However, Chau cautioned against assuming that the outcome would determine every aspect of US policy towards China or bilateral relations.
He said the more important question was whether the Chinese and US governments would follow through on the understandings reached in their previous engagements, maintain communication and identify areas of cooperation that serve their common interests. The decisions made by the two governments in the coming months, he said, would be a more meaningful indication of the direction of bilateral ties than the election results alone.
Chau also reflected on the potential implications for HK, saying the actual impact would depend on subsequent US policy decisions, particularly those concerning trade, investment, technology and measures related to the city.
He said HK should closely monitor these developments while strengthening areas within its own control, including its competitiveness, international confidence and connections with different markets and institutions.
"HK's future cannot depend on the outcome of one American election, nor can HK's future only be shaped by its historical reputation as a connector," Chau said.
He added that the international community wanted to see HK demonstrate reliability and confidence, while also looking at how the city defines its identity and role in the current era, rather than relying solely on its historical position.
The forum will also take place shortly before the APEC summit in Shenzhen, adding a wider regional dimension to its discussions. Chau said the forum sought to include perspectives beyond China and the US, including those from ASEAN countries. Decisions made by the two major powers, as well as the absence of cooperation between them, could have consequences far beyond their bilateral relationship.
Political leaders and former diplomats to join discussions
The forum will feature a diverse line-up of speakers with experience in diplomacy, government, trade and international affairs.
Among them are former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva; Cui Tiankai, China's former vice foreign minister; and Charlene Barshefsky, the 12th US Trade Representative.
Beyond the annual gathering, CUSEF seeks to make dialogue a year-round effort by encouraging exchanges among people from different backgrounds, including through student visits between China and the US. Chau said the foundation hoped to build connections that would extend beyond brief encounters and develop into lasting relationships and tangible outcomes.
He also highlighted HK's strengths as a platform for bringing people together, saying the city should focus on making the most of its own advantages rather than competing with other regional cities to host international dialogue.
As for the forum's intended outcomes, Chau said maintaining contact and keeping communication channels open were important in themselves, particularly amid the complexity and unpredictability of current international relations. Apart from that, he hoped the discussions could lead to concrete initiatives, potentially including partnerships among young international leaders and closer links between universities.
From geopolitical tensions to areas of common interest
The programme is designed to move beyond an assessment of bilateral ties and examine issues where continued communication and cooperation may be possible.
The first day, Nov. 15, will feature private sessions, including "The Risks We Share", which will examine what has changed following the two recent presidential meetings, how much stability can be sustained and what framework could make the relationship more workable.
Other closed-door discussions will include "Beyond the Capitals" and "The Strain on Exchange", addressing the importance of engagement beyond national capitals and the pressures facing exchanges between the two countries. A separate session, "Hong Kong at APEC", will consider the city's role in the regional setting.
The public programme on Nov. 16 will open with "Geopolitics After the Summits", focusing on the international landscape following the recent high-level meetings. It will also mark 25 years since China's accession to the World Trade Organization with a session titled "25 Years In".
Other discussions will cover health resilience, child safety online, digital storytellers and HK's position in international engagement.
An invitation-only session, "Hong Kong at the Table", will take place on Nov. 17.
Chau said the aim was not simply to bring people together, but to carefully shape discussions that could encourage a deeper understanding of different perspectives.
For China and the US, maintaining dialogue across diplomatic, economic, academic and people-to-people channels could help prevent disagreements in one area from undermining communication in others. Discussions on shared challenges, meanwhile, could provide practical opportunities for both sides to identify common ground.
CUSEF plans further exchanges with US universities
Looking beyond this year's forum, Chau said CUSEF planned to bring a multi-university delegation of Americans to the Chinese mainland in the first days of 2027, continuing its efforts to facilitate educational and people-to-people exchanges.
He said the foundation would seek to expand partnerships with universities, high schools and think tanks, while supporting the 100,000 Strong initiative to encourage more Americans to visit and study in China.
Chau said he had visited the US three times in the past four months and hoped to see more high-level dialogue and exchanges taking place in HK, the Chinese mainland and the US.
The forum will also pay tribute to CUSEF founder Tung Chee-hwa, HK's first chief executive, who passed away in September. A special session and tribute video titled "Tomorrow Will Be Better Than Today" will honour Tung's belief in the importance of constructive China-US relations and his commitment to fostering exchanges between the two countries.
Established in 2019, the US-China Hong Kong Forum is CUSEF's annual flagship event. This year's gathering seeks to explore how dialogue can be sustained at a time when the two countries' relationship remains consequential not only to themselves, but also to the wider world.
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