Third Annual U.S.-China CEO and Former Senior Officials’ Dialogue Held in Beijing

Third Annual U.S.-China CEO and Former Senior Officials’ Dialogue Held in Beijing

On July 18 and 19, 2012, the Third Annual U.S.-China CEO and Former Senior Officials’ Dialogue was held in Beijing. The Chinese and American delegations had a frank dialogue on such issues as the current development of U.S.-China trade and investment, how to enhance mutual trust in Chinese and America policies for innovation, and the impact on the business communities brought by the economic restructuring in the U.S. and China. Fifteen CEOs, scholars and former senior officials from each side participated in the dialogue, including Mr. Zeng Peiyan, Chairman of China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE) and Mr. Thomas Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC).

The delegates of both sides believe that the importance of the U.S.-China economic and trade relations is self-evident. As the largest developed and developing nations, it is of great significance for China and the U.S. to maintain a good relationship, against the backdrop of the depressed European economy and the economic slowdown in major emerging economies. The dialogue is held at the critical moment of the U.S.-China relations and thus, it will play a constructive role and convey a positive voice to the world, as well as help the two nations maintain good momentum of economic development. Apart from that, the two nations should deepen mutual trust in politics and economy, enhance their understanding and communication on the varied economic development modes, governance strategies and ideologies to create a sound investment environment for the business communities in the U.S. and China.

The U.S.-China CEO and Former Senior Officials’ Dialogue emerged from the global financial crisis and are jointly hosted by CCIEE and USCC. With frank exchanges and constructive conversations, the dialogue is aimed to be an platform for strengthening mutual trust and understanding, providing advice for the two nations’ economic and trade policy-makers, and promoting a healthy development of the U.S.-China economic and trade relations. As both sides are non-governmental organizations, the dialogue is branded as the U.S.-China Track Two Economic Dialogue. All the participants of the dialogue are influential CEOs or former senior officials. The first two rounds of the dialogue were held in Beijing and Washington in March and November of 2011 respectively. Issues concerning both nations, like building a new bilateral relationship of mutual trust, tolerance, fairness and cooperation between the two great powers, China and the U.S., trade imbalance, RMB exchange rate, investment environment, protection of intellectual property were discussed, valuable suggestions were given and proposals were made. The dialogue has played a positive role in propelling misunderstanding, enhancing mutual trust, guiding public opinion and promoting cooperation. It also won great credit from the Chinese and American governments and business communities.