Results of the Pew Research Center’s recent survey work indicate that most countries continue to prioritize their relationships with the United States, with more also viewing the United States as a top ally. That being said, publics globally, especially in emerging markets, report largely positive views of China’s economic stature and influence on their own countries’ economies. Their views of the United States’ economic influence are roughly on par with their views of China’s. Pew Research Center’s Laura Silver and Kat Devlin gave an insightful presentation on global perceptions of the United States and China’s relative economic power and influence.

USCBC hosted a China Market Intelligence Live conference call on Tuesday, December 17 at 8:00pm EST / Wednesday, December 18 at 9:00am for those based in China. Craig Allen, President, and Jake Parker, Senior Vice President, and Lipei Zhang, Deputy Director, Business Advisory Services and Government Affairs, gave updates on the Phase 1 trade agreement

The US-China Business Council hosted members for a discussion with Ambassador Kurt Tong, former US Consul General and Chief of Mission in Hong Kong and Macau, on the political unrest in Hong Kong, the US and Chinese policy responses, and implications and risks for the international business community. Ambassador Tong is a career Foreign Service Officer and member of the Senior Foreign Service, with deep insights and knowledge of the region’s political and economic environment. USCBC President, Ambassador Craig Allen, also joined Ambassador Tong for the discussion on the business implications of the deteriorating situation, as well as what pending legislation in the US Congress may mean for the future of US-China-Hong Kong relationship.

Catch a recap of Amb. Tong's major points:

Photo: Kaveh Sardari

This year's Distinguished Honoree, Robert B. Zoellick offered his remarks on the future of the US-China relationship. Ambassador Zoellick, former World Bank president, US deputy secretary of state, and US trade representative has distinguished himself at the highest level of diplomacy, policy making, international trade and business. While serving in President George W. Bush's cabinet from 2001 to 2005, he completed the negotiations to bring China and Taiwan into the World Trade Organization. As an Under Secretary of State with President George H.W. Bush, Zoellick coordinated the entry of China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong into APEC. 

Read Ambassador Zoellick's full remarks here.

Photo: Kaveh Sardari

Guests also heard remarks from Ambassador Cui Tiankai, who called on the US and China to get the basics of their relations right and strengthen communication on strategic issues. He decried the invocation of the Thucydides trap and said the real trap would come from misunderstanding.  

Read Ambassador Cui's full remarks here.

Thank you to the following corporate sponsors that pledged their support

Leadership:
Chubb, Las Vegas Sands Corporation, Xcoal Energy & Resources

Benefactor:

Abbott Laboratories, AIG, Air Products, C. V. Starr & Co., The Carlyle Group, Cummins, Dell Technologies, Dow, ExxonMobil Corporation, FedEx, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Company, JPMorgan Chase & Co., The Procter & Gamble Company, Qualcomm, UL, Visa Inc., Walmart, Inc.

Patron:

Amway, Applied Materials, Caterpillar, Chevron, Emerson, IBM, Linde, MetLife, PayPal, TE Connectivity

Supporter:

Archer Daniels Midland Company, The Coca-Cola Company, ConocoPhillips, Corteva Agriscience™, The Walt Disney Company, dōTERRA, Ernst & Young, Hills & Company, KKR, Micron, Microsoft, Moody's, PepsiCo, Inc., Pfizer, Thermo Fisher Scientific, WestRock