U.S.–China People’s Dialogue 2025 Opens in Los Angeles, Emphasizing Trust, Understanding, and Cultural Exchange

LAPost/Pasadena, CA — November 17, 2025 — The 2025 U.S.–China People’s Dialogue officially opened this weekend at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles, bringing together leading scholars, cultural figures, and policy practitioners from both countries for three days of in-depth discussions. Co-hosted by the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS) at Tsinghua University and the National Committee on U.S.–China Relations (NCUSCR), the Dialogue seeks to rebuild societal-level understanding at a time when bilateral relations face unprecedented complexity and uncertainty.

Although the Dialogue’s core sessions are held behind closed doors, a media briefing on November 16 at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, provided journalists with a rare opportunity to engage directly with organizers and participants. Speakers included Yang Bin, Vice Chancellor of Tsinghua University Council; Prof. Da Wei, Director of CISS; Stephen A. Orlins, President of NCUSCR; renowned filmmaker Jiang Wen; and Robert Daly, former U.S. diplomat and longtime China expert, among other distinguished guests.

A Platform for Rebuilding Trust

Launched in 2023, the U.S.–China People’s Dialogue has quickly become one of the most influential platforms for civil exchange between the two nations. This year’s theme, “Bridging Differences, Seeking Common Ground,” underscores the need to renew trust through direct conversation, shared experiences, and practical cooperation.

The 2025 program addresses a wide spectrum of issues shaping public perceptions and societal ties, including:

• Higher education

• Artificial intelligence

• Popular culture

• Social media

• The Chinese American community

More than 30 scholars and practitioners from academia, technology, business, and culture are participating in the discussions.

Stephen A. Orlins: People-to-People Ties Are the Foundation

Reflecting on the legacy of “Ping Pong Diplomacy,” Orlins emphasized that people-to-people engagement remains “the foundation of the U.S.–China relationship.”
“When this foundation is strong,” he said, “the overall structure of bilateral relations will not be easily shaken.”

He noted that in recent years, political tensions have hindered exchanges, making this Dialogue especially urgent. One of the Dialogue’s goals, he said, is to identify barriers to exchange and present concrete recommendations to both governments.

Yang Bin: Innovating New Modes of Engagement

Yang Bin highlighted a major structural innovation in this year’s event — the “Collective Workshop+” model, which includes thematic seminars, small-group discussions, field research, and sessions involving international students.
“Although differences exist,” he said, “the common ground we find through these exchanges is invaluable for building mutual understanding.”

Prof. Da Wei: Civil Exchange as a Strategic Stabilizer

Da Wei stressed the strategic role of societal dialogue in supporting long-term stability:
“When discussing overall bilateral stability, we often refer to three pillars — security, economics, and people-to-people exchange. The third pillar is rooted deeply in both societies and remains indispensable.”

He added that this Dialogue sends a clear message: many people on both sides still care deeply about engagement and are committed to finding solutions.

Jiang Wen: Art as a Bridge Between Societies

Celebrated filmmaker Jiang Wen spoke about the cultural dimension of mutual understanding.
Thanks to the internet, he noted, young people in both nations interact more frequently than ever before.
“Face-to-face communication is still essential,” he said. “Art and storytelling can illuminate shared human experiences beyond politics.”

Robert Daly: “Seeing Is Believing”

Former U.S. diplomat Robert Daly, who has spent over 12 years living in China — and is known in Chinese as “戴博” — underscored the power of personal experience.
“People should visit each other’s countries more often,” he said. “Seeing is believing. Direct contact naturally fosters goodwill.”

While acknowledging real differences and competition, Daly warned against “demonizing the other side” and emphasized the importance of expanding opportunities for genuine interaction.

A Growing Tradition

The 2025 Dialogue marks the program’s third consecutive year, following earlier editions in:

• 2023, New York — “Our Stories, Our Ideas”

• 2024, Beijing — “Exploring Paths Forward”

Each year has built on the last, refining strategies to strengthen public understanding amid shifting geopolitical conditions.

This year’s organizers hope the discussions — continuing through November 19 — will yield not only clearer insights into structural obstacles facing public exchange, but also tangible recommendations for improving cross-societal engagement for years to come.

As the Dialogue continues, its organizers reaffirmed their commitment to fostering mutual understanding:
“People-to-people communication will remain an essential pillar for ensuring long-term stability in U.S.–China relations.”

Despite being positioned as a “people’s dialogue,” the event still functions largely as a closed-door, small-circle gathering. How much of the discussion, perspectives, and debates from inside the room will ultimately reach the broader public remains an open question. If the discourse remains overly abstract, heavily theoretical, or framed in elite academic language, its impact on genuine people-to-people understanding may be limited. Whether these high-level conversations can meaningfully translate into accessible insights, concrete actions, and broader societal engagement is something that will require continued observation.

（Written by: Richard Ren/LAPost)