Our Story

Situated in Hong Kong, a historic crossroads where global currents have long converged, CUSEF was born at the intersection of East and West. Our strategic location enables us to work in ways few others can — drawing on the city’s strengths as a global hub of finance, culture, and commerce, and as a meeting place for diverse perspectives. We operate between China and the U.S., and with trusted global partners who call Hong Kong home.

Our Story
Our Story

Situated in Hong Kong, a historic crossroads where global currents have long converged, CUSEF was born at the intersection of East and West. Our strategic location enables us to work in ways few others can — drawing on the city’s strengths as a global hub of finance, culture, and commerce, and as a meeting place for diverse perspectives. We operate between China and the U.S., and with trusted global partners who call Hong Kong home.

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2024
2024
  • The 50,000 in Five Years Initiative
  • The Foundation launched CUSEF Next Gen Initiative, an exchange program aimed at fostering connections between Chinese and American students. The initiative aligns with China's plan to host 50,000 young Americans in the next five years.
  • In January, the students are invited to the reception commemorating the 45th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations.
2024
2023
2023
  • Investing in Youth Leadership
  • The Foundation and One Young World announced the establishment of the CUSEF x One Young World Scholarship in October, selecting youth leaders worldwide based on their proven positive social impact in tackling global challenges such as climate change, gender equality and education.
  • The first cohort of eight CUSEF young scholars.
2023
2023
2023
  • Supporting Philadelphia Orchestra’s China Trip
  • In November, the Foundation sponsored the Philadelphia Orchestra's trip to China for a concert marking the 50th Anniversary of the ensemble’s historic 1973 tour of China, the first by an American orchestra.
  • A concert commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s historic 1973 tour of China is held in Beijing, November 10.
2023
2021
2021
  • Supporting the Youth Dialogue
  • In October, the Foundation supported the Sino-American Youth Dialogue on Climate Change, co-organized by Tsinghua University and MIT, which contributed to the discussions at COP26 in Glasgow.
  • The Sino-American Youth Dialogue on Climate Change is an online-offline hybrid event during the pandemic period.
2021
2020
2020
  • Supporting New York Pandemic Response
  • As COVID-19 pandemic impacted the United States, the Foundation donated US$500,000 worth of protective equipment to hospitals and social institutions in New York.
  • Supporting New York Pandemic Response
2020
2019
2019
  • Launching The China Current
  • The Foundation launched The China Current, an innovative video platform sharing stories of Chinese citizens, Americans living in China, and the Chinese diaspora communities, aimed at fostering millennial engagement.
  • Launching The China Current
2019
2019
2019
  • Launching the Hong Kong Forum
  • In July, the Foundation inaugurated the annual Hong Kong Forum on U.S.-China Relations in partnership with the China Center for International Economic Exchange (CCIEE). The forum centered on the theme: U.S.- China Trade and Economic Relations: What Now, What Next.
  • Chairman Tung Chee-hwa, former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien (L), and former Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong (R) are present at the forum.
2019
2016
2016
  • Expanding University Partnerships
  • The Foundation strengthened academic ties through China-U.S. Forums with Stanford University, University of Chicago and New York University.
  • Fu Ying, Director of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress of China; Jeffrey S. Lehman, Vice Chancellor of NYU Shanghai; and James Stapleton Roy, former U.S. Ambassador to China, engage in a dialogue at the NYU China Forum.
2016
2015
2015
  • Supporting Presidential Diplomacy
  • The Foundation, alongside U.S. non-governmental organizations, hosted a welcome dinner in Seattle to honor President Xi Jinping during his first state visit to the United States. Chairman Tung Chee-hwa was invited to the state dinner hosted by President Barack Obama at the White House.
  • President Obama talks with Chairman Tung Chee-hwa at the state dinner in the White House.
2015
2014
2014
  • Expanding Academic Exchange
  • The Foundation organized a China study tour for diverse student groups from institutions including Harvard Kennedy School, Chicago Urban League, Lone Star College and Northern California.
  • Students from the Chicago Urban League pose for a photo in the Summer Palace in Beijing.
2014
2013
2013
  • Publishing Strategic Research with CSIS
  • The Foundation released the significant report “U.S.-China Economic Relations in the Next Decade,” co-produced with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and organized press conferences in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles and Beijing.
  • Chairman Tung Chee-hwa, CUSEF Honorary Advisor and former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, along with Nobel Laureate in Economics Michael Spence, deliver speeches at the New York press conference.
2013
2013
2013
  • Supporting Educational Initiatives
  • The Foundation participated in the “100,000 Strong” initiative and facilitated Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong’s presentation of scholarships to students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) in November. Every year, the Foundation organizes more than a dozen groups of U.S. students to visit China.
  • CUSEF Special Advisor Alexander Tzang (1st L), HBCU presidents, and African American members of the U.S. House of Representatives pose with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong (4th R).
2013
2012
2012
  • Expanding Institutional Presence
  • In September, the Foundation established its sister foundation in Beijing.

  • Chairman Tung Chee-hwa, Honorary Advisor Xu Kuangdi, CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin, and Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai attend the unveiling ceremony of CUSEF’s sister foundation.
2012
2012
2012
  • Xi Jinping’s U.S. Tour
  • The 40th anniversary of the Shanghai Communique coincided with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping’s February U.S. visit, during which Chairman Tung Chee-hwa attended the reception in honor of Xi and the Chinese leader’s meeting with former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright, former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and other retired U.S. political figures.
  • Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping meets with CUSEF Chairman Tung Chee-hwa.
2012
2011
2011
  • Inaugurating Student Exchange
  • August marked an important milestone with the Foundation’s first U.S. student exchange program, bringing African-American high school students from Los Angeles to Beijing and Shanghai.
  • Students from Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles and the High School Affiliated to Beijing Renmin University visit the Starbucks headquarters in Beijing.
2011
2011
2011
  • Launching Digital Platforms
  • The Foundation established China-US Focus, an online platform facilitating expert discussions on China-U.S. relations through bilingual content, high-level interviews, and social media engagement.
  • Launching Digital Platforms
2011
2010
2010
  • Addressing Global Economic Challenges
  • In September, the Foundation sponsored the second Summer Palace Dialogue, where economists from China and the United States came together to address the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis and explore coordinated policy responses.
  • Liu He, Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Financial and Economic Leading Group, speaks in the dialogue.
2010
2010
2010
  • Facilitating the Inaugural Political Party Leaders Dialogue
  • In April, the Foundation achieved a milestone in facilitating dialogue between the Communist Party of China and the two major political parties in the United States through the inaugural U.S.-China Political Party Leaders Dialogue in Beijing.
  • Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping meets with the delegation of American political parties led by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright representing the Democratic Party and former Assistant Secretary of State Richard S. Williamson representing the Republican Party, April 1.
2010
2008
2008
  • Commemorating 30 Years of Relations
  • In August, during the Beijing Olympic Games, the Foundation hosted a reception and dinner at the Forbidden City to celebrate the international sporting event and the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations. Distinguished guests included former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
  • Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush (C) talks with the Foundation’s Honorary Adviser Xu Kuangdi (R) and Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei at the reception.
2008
2008
2008
  • Launching the Sanya Initiative
  • The Foundation initiated a groundbreaking dialogue in February between retired senior generals from China and the United States in Sanya, Hainan Province. This annual dialogue, known as the Sanya Initiative, cultivates unofficial military-to-military relationships. The second session expanded to multiple U.S. locations, including Hawaii, Washington and New York in November 2009.
  • The first Sanya Initiative, 2008.
2008
2008
2008
  • From Vision to Reality
  • In January, the China-United States Exchange Foundation was established in Hong Kong as an independent, nonprofit and nongovernmental organization. Mr. Tung Chee-hwa, who served as the first chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, took the helm as chairman.
  • CUSEF Chairman and Founder Tung Chee-hwa (C), CUSEF Vice Chairman Victor Fung (L) and CUSEF Governor Elsie Leung (R)
2008