In September 1973, the Philadelphia Orchestra made its first China Tour—the first by an American orchestra, known as "the ice-breaking journey" which kicked off the prelude of U.S.-China cultural exchanges and have forged a deep friendship between the two peoples through music in more than 50 years that followed.

CUSEF has been supporting the Philadelphia Orchestra's return to China after the COVID pandemic. In November 2023, 14 Philadelphia Orchestra members traveled to Beijing for the concert "Friendship Across Half a Century," commemorating the 50th anniversary of the ensemble’s historic 1973 China Tour. In a congratulatory letter, U.S. President Biden praised the Orchestra for serving “as a bridge between our nations, strengthening the bonds that bring our people together.” In October-November 2024, the full Philadelphia Orchestra returned to China for its 13th China Tour—the most by any American orchestra, coinciding with 45 years of official U.S.-China diplomatic relations.

The U.S.-China Art Dialogue is held in Hong Kong, the cultural center where East meets West, on March 28, 2025. It is hosted by the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), in partnership with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art.

Esteemed international artists gather in Hong Kong, discussing about the role and significance of art and artists exchanges in the current U.S.-China relationship. Through the language of art, this event transcends the barriers created by borders and rivalries, provides an opportunity to strengthen people-to-people ties and ensure equitable participation in cultural discourse.