Eighty years ago, the world emerged from its darkest hour. From the ashes of war, the United Nations was born, and the international community committed itself to peace through shared responsibility.
Among the heroes of that era were Americans and Chinese who fought side by side, from soldiers on the ground to Flying Tigers in the skies. They were bound by a common belief: that when humanity is threatened, we must stand together. Today, our world once again faces challenges of human development. Will we choose decoupling or interdependency, eventually war or peace? For the first time in 80 years, these questions feel truly present and urgent.
The U.S. and China each bring different strengths and visions to the world: on one hand, a country that champions individual effort and rules-based engagement; and on the other, a country that values collective benefit and peaceful coexistence. If guided by mutual respect and understanding, the two nations could, once again, collaborate with shared leadership among other nations creating a more equitable and sustainable global order for human development.
That is what we seek to do through CUSEF and through this U.S.-China Hong Kong Forum: to curate and connect the best of our two peoples, and of the wider world, bringing those energies into a shared environment of understanding, prosperity, and peace.
This year, our theme — Circles for Peace — reflects that mission. It reminds us that peace, like a “circle,” has no beginning and no end. It connects people across nations and generations, and demands constant renewal through dialogue and action.
Hong Kong is the perfect place for this: a city that exemplifies global connection, where finance meets culture, and where ideas flow freely across borders. Here, we are not only conveners but curators, selecting and shaping the conversations that matter most to the global future and to the human condition that underpins it. Hong Kong's beauty and its people's charm are perfectly reflected by our host hotel Fullerton and its owner Sino Group.
Our speakers and participants reflect that same spirit — from teenage school students I see in this room, to those with decades of wisdom and experience to share. Together, you embody the living circle of this Forum. We thank you deeply for lending your voices, your expertise, your time, and your hope to this critical dialogue.
So, as we begin, let's remember that the peace we inherit is not guaranteed. It must be renewed — through dialogue, mutual learning, and a shared determination to protect the human condition. By the time we say goodbye in Hong Kong, we must create our own Circle for Peace: one without beginning or end, connecting nations, generations, and all who believe that peace must be built, not wished for.
