At the 2023 Tongzhou Global Development Forum in Beijing, global leaders and academics tackled today’s most pressing challenges—from economic inequality to climate action. But all eyes were on China-U.S. relations as HKU Professor Li Cheng, a veteran China-U.S. analyst, dropped truth bombs during an exclusive interview. Here’s the tea. 🍵
San Francisco Vision: A New Chapter?
Li highlighted the recent meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden as a “critical step” to stabilize relations. “The San Francisco Vision isn’t just a photo op,” he said. “It’s about rebuilding trust—think climate collaboration, tech partnerships, and avoiding TikTok-level drama.” 🇨🇳🤝🇺🇸
Taiwan: The ‘Red Line’ in the Room
But here’s the kicker: Li warned that Taiwan remains a potential flashpoint. “Both sides need to handle this like defusing a viral Twitter feud,” he joked, stressing that cross-strait stability is key. He urged Washington to avoid actions that could ‘mislead the Taiwan region’s authorities’ into risky moves. 🚨
What’s Next?
Li’s final take? “Dialogue, not decoupling, is the only way forward.” With global youth demanding climate justice and economic fairness, he emphasized that U.S.-China cooperation isn’t optional—it’s survival. 🌍✨
