On November 17, the sixth U.S.-China Hong Kong Forum officially commenced in Hong Kong. Co-hosted by the China-US Exchange Foundation (CUSEF) and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), this year’s forum centered on the theme “Circles for Peace.” Over 50 speakers explored how technology, geopolitics, and people-to-people exchanges can shape a more peaceful and predictable global future. More than 350 representatives from various industries across China and the United States attended.
Prof. Wang Dong, a Tenured Professor at the School of International Studies and Executive Director of the Institute for Global Cooperation and Understanding (iGCU), Peking University, attended the forum, where he participated in the Plenary Session and delivered remarks at the “Nixon Dialogue” session.
During the forum, Prof. Wang Dong was interviewed by various media outlets, including Xinhua News Agency, China News Service, China Daily, Ta Kung Pao, Wen Wei Po, South China Morning Post, Bloomberg, China Review News Agency, Ifeng News, and Dot Dot News. He expounded on China's position regarding the Busan summit, Sino-US relations, and the remarks made by Sanae Takaichi on the Taiwan Question, expressing views held by many Chinese scholars.
Reporters interviewing Prof. Wang at the Sixth U.S.-China Hong Kong Forum (Photo by Guo Zhijun, China Review News Agency)
The Busan Summit Holds Significant Importance
Responding to a question from China Review News Agency about the Busan Summit between Chinese and U.S. leaders, Prof. Wang explained that the Trump administration had imposed tariffs on multiple countries since April 1, 2025, including China, disrupting the global economic and trade system and heightening tensions in China-U.S. relations. China resolutely defended its legitimate rights and interests by implementing corresponding countermeasures against the U.S., compelling Washington to re-engage in negotiations and ultimately reaching a phased consensus.
Prof. Wang also noted that structural issues and potential risks persist in current Sino-U.S. relations. “Particularly, some hardliners in the U.S. seek to maintain pressure on China, suggesting potential friction may persist in Sino-U.S. relations next year.” However, from a broader perspective, the Busan meeting holds significant importance as it marks the first summit between the two heads of state since President Trump's second term. The Busan summit has stabilized Sino-U.S. relations, demonstrating the guiding role of top-level diplomacy in shaping bilateral ties. “The more communication between China and the U.S., the better we can bridge our differences,” Prof. Wang observed.
On the role of the United Nations, Prof. Wang noted that the organization remains central to the current international order, and China consistently respects and upholds its authority and stature. He further highlighted that the UN faces significant challenges and requires reform.
Moreover, Prof. Wang expressed a firm conviction that Hong Kong can play a unique role in U.S.-China relations. Since the reform and opening-up, Hong Kong has consistently served as a bridge between mainland China and the West. With its international advantages and extensive experience in international exchanges, Hong Kong should better leverage its role in facilitating communication between mainland China and the world at this critical juncture.
Takaichi's Remarks on Taiwan Will Ultimately Backfire
Regarding Takaichi Sanae's recent erroneous remarks on Taiwan, Prof. Wang analyzed that her so-called “Taiwan contingency” rhetoric implies Japan may intervene militarily in the Taiwan question. As the Taiwan issue is a core interest of China, such statements crossed China's tolerance threshold.
Prof. Wang pointed out that Takaichi's remarks have received little acceptance in the international community. As a key U.S. ally, Japan has repeatedly sought to align with America on these statements, yet the Trump administration has not issued a clear stance on the matter. Other G7 nations show no substantive deviation from their previous positions on the Taiwan issue. Domestically, meanwhile, former Prime Ministers and influential politicians, including Noda Yoshihiko and Ishiba Shigeru, have repeatedly voiced opposition to Takaichi's remarks.
Prof. Wang attributed Takaichi's inflammatory remarks to her lack of diplomatic experience combined with a deeply ingrained right-wing ideology. Politically, she occupies a weak position without a governing majority coalition, leading to opportunistic calculations: stoking nationalist sentiment and hyping the “China threat theory” to divert domestic conflicts and boost her approval ratings.
Prof. Wang noted that Takaichi's remarks were extremely reckless, akin to “drinking poison to quench thirst,” which cannot resolve Japan's domestic issues and economic woes, while creating more diplomatic problems. Maintaining a mutually beneficial, win-win bilateral relationship between China and Japan aligns with the fundamental interests of both nations and their peoples.
“China's stance is clear: we will resolutely fight to defend our national sovereignty and security. We also believe that Japan's enlightened individuals will join hands with China to curb right-wing misguided ideologies, help Sino-Japanese relations overcome current tensions, and return to a path of healthy and stable development,” Prof. Wang stated.
Compiled by Zhan Yufei
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