The Future of U.S. & China: Moving Towards the Edge 2023
Event Recap With Images and Videos
ASNC Executive Director acted as the master of ceremonies for the conference.
Session 1 "Entangled Routes: The U.S., China, and the Evolving Global Trade Order," was moderated by ASNC Advisory Council Member James Green and featured Wendy Cutler.
Session 2, entitled "How Semiconductors Make Taiwan One of The Most Important Places on Earth," was moderated by ASNC Advisory Council Member Orville Schell and featured panelists Kirti Gupta, H.-S. Philip Wong, Edlyn Levine, and Victor Wang.
In session 3, Professor Danny Quah delivered the keynote address entitled "Managing the New Economic World Order: The Rise of Asia" which was streamed live.
The 4th session, "Cancer: Opportunity for Competition or Collaboration," was expertly moderated by Roberta Lipson and comprised a distinguished panel of speakers, including Ken Fong, Alex Ng and Bob Li.
Kevin Rudd, President and CEO of Asia Society, pre-recorded address.
Session 5, "The Politics of U.S.-China Relations: Irreconcilable Differences or Possibilities of Progress," was moderated by Mary Kay Magistad, featuring expert insights from panelists Lingling Wei and Jim Messina.
The 6th session "Young, Bilingual and Wondering What’s Next: How NextGen Professionals are Coping with a Changed China," was moderated by ASNC Advisory Council Member Mark Cohen, and featured Clay Garner, Marrian Zhou, Jesse Appell, and Alina Luk.
Session 7 on China’s Economic Outlook: Bullish or Bearish? was live-streamed and moderated by ASNC Advisory Council Member Andy Rothman. Panelists included Guonan Ma, Edith Yeung, Tom Orlik, and Jacob Rothman.
Session 8, moderated by ASNC Chair Gary Rieschel, delved into the topic of 'Prospects for Progress: Strategies for U.S. and China Collaboration.' The panel featured speakers Danny Russel and Jerry Yang.
ASNC organizing team: Nina Udagawa, Aaren Marroquin, Margaret Conley, Angela Chang, Nathalie De Spiegeleire, and Mackenzie Jakoubek.
Explore our online gallery for a vast selection of additional pictures by clicking here. Images by Wild Horse Productions.
On January 12, 2023 Asia Society Northern California hosted its fifth annual all-day U.S. & China Conference: The Future of U.S. & China: Moving Towards the Edge. This full-day event, took place at the Computer History Museum in Silicon Valley, CA, and featured leaders in business and trade, China experts, and journalists exploring the complex and evolving relationship between these two global powers. The event provided a diverse range of perspectives on various topics, including the emergence of Asia as a global power, the shifting dynamics of international trade, China's domestic politics, Taiwan and the semiconductor industry, the balance between competition and cooperation in finance, and how young professionals are navigating a changed China.
We've captured the event on video and will be sharing it here and on our YouTube channel in the coming weeks, along with photos. With a total of 31 speakers and 8 panel discussions, we'll be releasing one video per week. Be sure to subscribe to our channel and stay tuned for the release of these informative discussions.
| 9:00 - 9:05 a.m. |
Welcome Remarks
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| 9:05 - 9:50 a.m. |
Session 1: Entangled Routes: The U.S., China, and the Evolving Global Trade OrderThis session was moderated by ASNC Advisory Council Member and Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google, James Green, and featured Wendy Cutler, Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) and Managing Director, ASPI, Washington, D.C. The speakers delved into the topic of changing global supply chains, noting that while data is currently anecdotal, they suspect we will see more and more production moving away from China to other Asian countries or Mexico. They discussed the status of 301 tariffs on exports from China to the U.S., how these will most likely remain in place under the current administration, and the repercussions of imposing tariffs unilaterally at the WTO level. They noted that WTO rules are outdated, that regional trade agreements are a way to go, discussed the Asia Pacific region’s stance on U.S.'s forming alliances such as IPEF, and revisions that could facilitate the U.S.'s reentry into the TPP. They honed in on the potential impact of a world recession on efforts to drive self-reliance and diversify trade partners. They elaborated on the importance of rules of origin, discussed the outlook of U.S.-China bilateral relations in 2023, and the long-term view of the Chinese economy. Lastly, they touched on the upcoming APEC meetings in 2023, to be hosted by the U.S. The importance of these meetings for the U.S. was emphasized, highlighting the potential for low-key negotiations between participating nations. Pro Tip: Read ASPI's report on Reimagining the TPP: Revisions that Could Facilitate U.S. Reentry. |
| 9:50 - 10:50 a.m. |
Session 2: How Semiconductors Make Taiwan One of The Most Important Places on EarthWhat does the future hold for Taiwan – in terms of security, semiconductors, business and the region’s future? U.S. policymakers juggle these complex issues as stakes rise in China. Hear the behind-the-scenes scoop from speakers who were recently on the ground.
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| 10:50 - 11:00 a.m. |
Coffee & Tea Break |
| 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. |
Session 3: Managing the New Economic World Order – The Rise of Asia (live-streamed)In this presentation, Danny Quah, Dean and Li Ka Shing Professor in Economics, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, is discussing the role of nations like Singapore in the new world economic order, specifically in relation to the ongoing geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States. He argues that third nations should not be forced to choose sides in the geopolitical rivalry between these two powers, and that nations can have positive, mutually beneficial relationships without being friends or allies. Quah emphasizes the importance of establishing clear guidelines and a fair and equitable environment, as well as adherence to the rule of law, for these relationships to thrive. Quah's goal is for third nations to no longer be viewed as immaterial in relation to great power rivalry and for great powers to think about problem domains where their relationship can be positive and not zero-sum.
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| 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
Session 4: Cancer: Opportunity for Competition or Collaboration?In a world where U.S.-China tensions remain high, can the two countries come together to tackle global challenges? Scientists around the world are researching cancer and race to find its cure. The U.S. and China are leaders in medical innovation and technology, but will their differences get in the way of seeking collaboration and finding a breakthrough cure?
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| 12:15 - 1:00 p.m. |
Lunch Break |
| 1:00 - 1:15 p.m. |
15 Minutes with Kevin Rudd, President and CEO, Asia Society (recorded message, 14 min., 27 sec.)In this pre-recorded video, Kevin Rudd provides an in-depth analysis of China's ongoing strategy towards the United States, as well as the United States' strategy towards China. He assesses the key elements of these strategies, evaluates the impact of the November 2022 summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Biden on the relationship between the two nations, and examines the global ramifications of military tensions between the two countries. |
| 1:15 - 2:00 p.m. |
Session 5: The Politics of U.S.-China Relations: Irreconcilable Differences or Possibilities of Progress?The past years have seen a dangerous downturn in the relationship between the U.S. and China. Domestic politics in both countries keep on presenting their own challenges. China under the all-powerful Xi Jinping is determined to be an increasingly influential global player. It is bent on shaping a China-centric world that puts states and the superiority of the socialist system first, at the expense of individual freedoms. The Biden Administration sees the U.S. as locked in competition with an over-aggressive China. In the aftermath of the midterm elections, little change is expected in America’s political attitude towards China; bipartisan support for a hardening stance on Taiwan and technology exports remains strong. Yet, in order to avoid conflict between two nuclear-armed economic giants, the U.S. and China must continue talking. This panel will bring together policy experts for rigorous discussion and debate on whether 2023 will bring change in political attitudes:
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| 2:00 - 2:45 p.m. |
Session 6: Young, Bilingual and Wondering What’s Next: How NextGen Professionals are Coping with a Changed ChinaMany young professionals and students today face the decision of whether or not to tie their education and careers to China —reasons can range from politics, business, to tighter restrictions by China. Following the zero-COVID policy and travel restrictions, the number of those travelling to China has decreased heavily—what was once a popular destination for expats in business and diplomacy has reverted to isolation; China once had 11,000 American students in 2018 but under 300 are present now. This panel features emerging talent and their views.
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| 2:45 - 3:00 p.m. |
Coffee & Tea Break |
| 3:00 - 3:45 p.m. |
Session 7: China’s Economic Outlook: Bullish or Bearish? (live-streamed)The Chinese economy has been struggling in the past year. Covid lockdowns, restrictions on movement, crackdowns on indebted property developers and the tech industry have stunted economic growth. Trade and tech tensions between U.S. and China and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have also not helped. China’s property market is down, consumer confidence is low, air travel, subway traffic, and road-freight throughput are down by more than 30% year on year, box-office revenues plummeted 64%, and China’s youth unemployment rate hit a record high in July at 19.9%.Easing measures on Covid, property and relations with the U.S. announced in November signal a return to pragmatism. Will the government follow through on these issues and should we be cautiously optimistic about a gradual economic recovery? Or will the outlook for the Chinese economy remain grim in 2023? We’ll hear finance experts discuss both potential outcomes.
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| 3:45 - 4:30 p.m. |
Session 8: Prospect for Progress - How Can the U.S. & China Best Use the Period Ahead?In November 2022, Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping met for the first time as national leaders in Bali. From Taiwan, tariffs, human rights crises, to military rivalries, the world watched closely as the two world powers sat down to attempt lowering the temperature in their current, overheated relationship. Although Biden and Xi held a three-hour session, many say that the meeting was not enough to make way on the difficult economic and security tensions that continue to brew.Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit China in February. With new Chinese leadership in place, Biden's overperformance in midterms and 2 years left in this term, what could each side reasonably do to avert conflict and restore stability, if not cooperation?
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| 4:30 - 4:35 p.m. |
Closing Remarks
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| 4:35 - 5:00 p.m. |
Networking |
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