From August 16 to 17, 2025, the Center for American Studies (CAS) at Fudan University successfully hosted the Third Fudan–Harvard China-U.S. Young Leaders Dialogue. Jointly initiated and organized by students from Fudan University and Harvard University, the Dialogue focuses on differences and cooperation between the two countries on emerging global issues. It aims to provide a platform for in-depth exchange among young leaders from both sides, with academic guidance and support from CAS Fudan.
This year’s Dialogue, themed “Sino-U.S. Interaction and Future prospects,” brought together scholars, experts, and youth representatives from both universities for a series of high-level discussions on three core areas: artificial intelligence (AI), cultural soft power, and trade policy.
The opening ceremony on August 16 featured a keynote address by Professor Wu Xinbo, Dean of the Institute of International Studies (IIS) and Director of CAS Fudan, who underscored that in an era of globalization, young people in both China and the United States should strengthen mutual trust, explore shared interests, and contribute their insights to global governance. Student representatives from Harvard and Fudan then offered remarks, followed by joint presentations of collaborative research projects conducted with the Asia Society, CAS Fudan, and the Harvard Kennedy School, sharing findings on a range of frontier topics.
A highlight of the two-day program was the “High-Level Dialogues,” which examined three key themes—AI, the Internet, and Data; Cultural Development, Soft Power, and Ideational Trends; and Tariffs, Trade, and Economic Policy.
Participants included leading scholars such as David Weinberger (Harvard University), Jiang Tianjiao (Fudan University), Wei Zongyou and Cai Cuihong (Fudan University), Zheng Yu (Fudan University), Robert Lawrence (Harvard Kennedy School), Robert Ross (Boston University), and Merlin Xu (U.S.–China Business Council). The sessions offered constructive and insightful exchanges on whether technological competition must be zero-sum, new avenues for cultural collaboration, and the implications of trade frictions for global economic governance.
1. AI, the Internet, and Data: Finding “Non-Zero-Sum” Space in Competition
Featuring Jiang Tianjiao (Fudan University) and David Weinberger (Harvard University), this panel discussed the dynamics of China–U.S. competition in AI and digital technologies and explored possibilities for “non-zero-sum” cooperation. Speakers analyzed prospects for consensus on standard-setting, cross-border data flows, and ethical governance amid rising techno-nationalism. Participants agreed that sustained academic and industry exchanges are essential to mitigating the risks of technological decoupling.
2. Cultural Development, Soft Power, and Ideational Trends: Consensus and Contestation on Global Issues
Held on the morning of August 16, this session featured Zhang Xueying (Fudan University), Wen Yao (Fudan University), and Dominic Sachsenmaier (Harvard University). Panelists examined China–U.S. interactions in soft power and ideology—from cultural exports and media narratives to evolving generational values—and discussed how both sides could enhance mutual trust through education, film, and public diplomacy while overcoming ideological divides.
3. Tariffs, Trade, and Economic Policy: The Impact of Trade Frictions and the “America COMPETES Act”
This discussion brought together Wei Zongyou (Fudan University), Zheng Yu (Fudan University), and Robert Lawrence (Harvard University). The panel focused on the implications of the America COMPETES Act for China–U.S. trade relations and long-term strategic competition, analyzing supply chain restructuring, technology controls, and high-tariff policies. Participants called for safeguarding core interests while maintaining stability in the multilateral trading system and preserving room for enterprise-level cooperation.
4. Tariffs, Trade, and Economic Policy: “Fractures and Consensus” in Global Economic Governance
Featuring Song Guoyou (Fudan University), Wu Chengqiu (Fudan University), Shi Shuo (Fudan University), and Robert Ross (Boston University), this panel examined points of convergence and divergence between China and the United States in global economic governance, covering monetary systems, development finance, and emerging market debt. Speakers emphasized the importance of jointly addressing shared challenges such as inflation and energy transition to prevent bloc confrontation and global economic fragmentation.
5. Cultural Development, Soft Power, and Ideational Trends: Transformations in the Era of Soft Power
This dialogue invited Zhang Jiadong (Fudan University), Yin Peixiu (Fudan University), and Merlin Xu (U.S.–China Business Council). The discussion explored how generational shifts and globalization reshape soft power strategies in both countries. Panelists highlighted the role of Gen Z values, digital communication, and non-state actors in shaping public opinion, advocating for greater city diplomacy and youth innovation initiatives beyond traditional channels.
6. AI, the Internet, and Data: Shaping the International Order in the Digital Era
In the concluding session, Cai Cuihong (Fudan University) and Wang Zhongyuan (Fudan University) examined AI governance and the co-construction of international digital rules. They discussed policy differences and potential convergence between China and the United States in AI safety, platform regulation, and digital economy agreements, stressing the need to promote inclusive governance through multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Fostering Long-Term Youth Exchanges
This year’s Dialogue not only provided a high-level platform for exchange among young scholars from both countries but also opened several sessions to the public, combining online and offline participation to broaden engagement and impact.
Since its inception, the Fudan–Harvard China-U.S. Young Leaders Dialogue has become a vital mechanism for youth and people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States. Building on the success of previous editions, the third Dialogue deepened discussions, broadened participation across academic and professional sectors, and reflected a shared aspiration among young scholars to pursue “non-zero-sum” cooperation in addressing global challenges—injecting fresh momentum into the steady and constructive development of China–U.S. relations
