2025 U.S.–China People-to-People Dialogue underway in Los Angeles

Key Concepts

• US-China People-to-People Dialogue: A platform for bilateral engagement aimed at deepening mutual understanding between the United States and China.
• Track 2 Dialogue: A diplomatic approach involving non-governmental actors to identify and solve problems.
• Micro Dramas: Short video productions popular in China, with growing international interest in their production and adaptation.
• Cross-Generational Understanding: Fostering understanding between different age groups.
• Human Foundations of Bilateral Relationship: Emphasizing the importance of people-to-people connections in maintaining stable relations.

Third Edition of US-China People-to-People Dialogue

The third edition of the United States-China People-to-People Dialogue is presented as a significant platform for bilateral engagement, occurring at a critical juncture for US-China relations. The primary objective of this dialogue is to deepen mutual understanding through direct exchange.

Addressing Challenges and Evolving Format

The dialogue acknowledges the multifaceted challenges impacting US-China relations, including those stemming from politics, economics, military affairs, language, and technology. To effectively address these issues, the format of the dialogue has been intentionally altered. As stated by one participant, "So we have to face it. we have to how to bridge it. So that's the reason why we changed the the format. We want it become more like a track to dialogue to try to identify problem and solving problems." This shift aims to facilitate a more problem-solving-oriented approach.

Venue and Program Structure

This year's dialogue is being held at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in California, building upon previous sessions conducted in New York and Beijing. The program for the current edition is comprehensive, incorporating round-table discussions, workshops, presentations, field visits, and exchanges with international students. A notable change in this year's approach is the focus on improving people-to-people exchanges themselves, rather than solely pairing individuals from similar industries. The core discussion revolves around "how to improve this."

Participants and Scope of Engagement

Over one hundred participants from both China and the United States are involved in the dialogue. These participants represent a diverse range of sectors, including higher education, think tanks, technology, business, social media, and the arts and culture.

Case Study: Micro Dramas and International Interest

An example highlighted is the popularity of "micro dramas," short video productions originating in China. The transcript notes a surprising trend: "many foreign producers are coming to China to observe the production of these short videos and remake them for foreign audiences." This indicates a growing international appetite for Chinese digital content, with inquiries such as, "Does anybody outside China want to see these things?" being met with the response, "There are plenty of people who watch them."

Confidentiality and Long-Term Engagement

To foster open and candid discussions, most sessions this week are conducted behind closed doors. This approach is designed to support long-term, stable engagement between the two nations.

Core Philosophy and Conclusion

The US-China People-to-People Dialogue fundamentally underscores a shared commitment to cross-generational understanding and the human foundations of the bilateral relationship. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of direct human connection in navigating complex international relations.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The third US-China People-to-People Dialogue represents a strategic evolution in bilateral engagement, moving towards a more action-oriented, "track 2" approach to address the multifaceted challenges between the two nations. By bringing together a diverse group of over 100 participants from various sectors, the dialogue prioritizes improving the mechanisms of people-to-people exchange itself. The program's structure, including workshops and field visits, alongside the focus on candid, closed-door discussions, aims to build a stronger human foundation for long-term stable relations. The emerging international interest in Chinese cultural products like micro dramas serves as a tangible example of the potential for positive cross-cultural exchange. Ultimately, the dialogue reinforces the belief that fostering cross-generational understanding and strengthening human connections are crucial for navigating the complexities of the US-China relationship.