From March 21 to 23, the Second Jimmy Carter Forum on U.S.-China Relations was held in Hangzhou. Lu Shan, Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Xie Feng delivered remarks at the forum via video link. Over 70 people attended the forum, including Shen Xin, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Cui Tiankai, Advisor to the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs and former Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Paige Alexander, CEO of the Carter Center, as well as guests from institutions such as the US-China Business Council, Yale University, Fudan University, Peking University, and Renmin University of China.

Participants held candid and in-depth discussions on topics such as U.S.-China economic and trade relations, scientific and academic exchanges, cooperation challenges, and risk management, offering suggestions and insights on the future development of U.S.-China relations.  

Aside from the forum, the guests visited Dream Town in the Future Sci-Tech City in Yuhang District to learn about Zhejiang’s latest achievements in innovation-driven development and tech entrepreneurship. As a model for innovation and entrepreneurship in the province, Dream Town showcased many start-up stories, drawing great interest from the guests. They highly praised Zhejiang’s progress in science and technology and exchanged views on U.S.-China cooperation in relevant fields.

The guests also visited the China National Tea Museum where they watched a wide range of exhibitions on tea history, production techniques, and traditional tea ceremony performances. This cultural visit deepened their understanding of Chinese traditions and inspired reflections on new forms of cultural exchanges between China and the U.S. 

It is worth noting that, with the support of the Art Center of U.S. Asian Cultural Academy, the event featured a small indoor concert and an art exhibition. The beautiful melodies and brushstrokes highlighted the harmonious integration of culture and art between the two countries. The Jimmy Carter Forum on U.S.-China Relations is a non-governmental platform established to commemorate former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his contribution to the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S. The Forum aims to enhance mutual understanding and communication between the peoples of both nations, and promote cooperation across multiple sectors to jointly address global challenges.

Gu Jianxin, Director-General of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Foreign Affairs, and Xing Huidong, Executive Vice President of Zhejiang People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, attended the opening ceremony.