2023 Year In Review

For more than three decades, I have traveled to China multiple times a year—as a CEO, as US Treasury Secretary, and as Chairman of the Paulson Institute—to build US-China ties and to advance my belief that solving the world’s biggest problems will be much easier if the world’s two largest economies work in complementary ways. This year was the first in more than three years that I’ve been able to return in person. It was great to be in China again, and it was a reminder of the importance of in-person collaboration and spending time on the ground.

The current state of US-China relations remains fraught, but 2023 saw a resumption of high-level visits, culminating in a productive dialogue between presidents Biden and Xi at the APEC meeting in California.

The year ahead will present a new test for US-China relations, as an intense presidential election in the United States stirs politics in both countries. Against this backdrop, it will be increasingly difficult—but essential—for both nations to define a framework that manages competition and avoids debilitating conflict.

For our part, the Paulson Institute will continue to identify areas of productive cooperation between our two countries. Through our programs on conservation and green finance, as well as our top-flight research and insights on the Chinese political economy, we will serve as a resource for decision-makers in both countries who seek to foster a US-China relationship that is more productive, balanced, and secure.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.

—Hank Paulson
Chairman, Paulson Institute