You have heard this year's theme: Circles for Peace — a vision of shared leadership for shared responsibility. Today, I want to reflect on where these circles truly come to life: here, at the 6th U.S.–China Hong Kong Forum.
The word “forum” is not chosen lightly. It carries a profound legacy. In ancient Rome, the forum was the beating heart of civic life — an open space where citizens gathered to exchange ideas and shape the destiny of their city. The Greeks called theirs the agora — a place for dialogue, trade, and public debate. And while ancient China had no single equivalent, for thousands of years its courtyards, marketplaces, and temple squares served the same purpose: bringing people and cultures together to listen, learn, and contribute. Today, in a modern age, that space for dialogue has moved into digital platforms like TikTok and RedNote.
Throughout history, progress has moved forward whenever people meet, share ideas, and act together. That is why we invoke the word forum with reverence — because it represents openness, participation, and possibility.
Over the course of today, our contemporary forum in Hong Kong will unfold across three concentric circles — artificial intelligence, geopolitics, and people-to-people relations — the very forces shaping our common future.
Each circle is designed not only for discussion, but for action: beginning with a keynote to inspire, a panel to debate, and a masterclass to translate ideas into practical insights.
Even this room speaks to our intent. Its design ensures inclusion; every seat is a front row. Here, privilege does not sit at the center — it circulates among us. This is not a closed chamber; it is a public commons.
We are honored to welcome each of you — an extraordinary group of international participants — policy architects, diplomats, business leaders, artists, and students — each bringing a unique perspective. Among them, Muhammad Yunus, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and Congressional Gold Medal… whose vision is today guiding the future for 173 million people in Bangladesh.
Together, our participants form a living portrait of our theme: Circles for Peace — diverse yet united, equal in voice and purpose. Peace, like a circle, has no beginning and no end — it must be continually redrawn through dialogue and understanding. Our task is to help the United States, China, and the wider world find common ground, and sustain that effort across generations. Each conversation we host strengthens the foundations of trust and responsibility on which peace depends.
