US-China Common Concern Committee · UC4
Keeping the United States and China at the table.
UC4 is an independent committee with one purpose: keep these two global powers engaged in areas of critical common concern regarding our shared future and the future of the world.
We press for sustained government-to-government dialogue, convene the Track 1.5 and Track 2 exchanges that inform it, and connect the institutions that turn commitments into results.
Our Mission
Matching institutions is not enough on its own. UC4 exists to bring the two sides together and keep them together, at every level from heads of state to working experts.
- Track 1
Press for government-to-government engagement
We make the public case for regular, institutionalized channels between Washington and Beijing, from leaders' meetings to cabinet-level and working-level dialogues, and for keeping them open when relations are strained.
- Track 1.5 · Track 2
Convene the dialogues that feed it
We bring together former officials, scholars, and practitioners from both countries to test ideas candidly and carry joint recommendations to policymakers in both capitals.
- Track 3
Sustain cooperation between summits
We connect universities, hospitals, labs, and local institutions working on the same problems, so that commitments made at the top become working results on the ground.
We do not represent either government. That independence is what lets us speak candidly to both.
Our Focus
Current Areas of Common Concern
Problems no country can solve alone, where US-China cooperation benefits everyone. This list will evolve as priorities change.
- On the bilateral agenda
AI
Artificial Intelligence
Responsible AI development, safety standards, and ethical frameworks for emerging technologies.
What we convene
AI safety researchers comparing evaluation methods and shared terminology for incidents.
- On the bilateral agenda
Health
Disease Preparedness
Collaborative efforts in disease surveillance, treatment protocols, and pandemic preparedness between medical institutions.
What we convene
Hospitals and public-health schools exchanging surveillance and preparedness practice.
- On the bilateral agenda
Food
Food Security & Agriculture
Addressing global food challenges through sustainable agriculture and supply chain resilience.
What we convene
Agricultural universities and growers working on crop resilience and supply chains.
Climate
Climate Change
Joint initiatives on climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy partnerships, and emissions reduction strategies.
What we convene
Cities and research labs sharing methods for adaptation and clean-energy deployment.
Biotech
Biotech Research
Shared research on biotechnology innovations, biosecurity protocols, and life sciences advancement.
What we convene
Biosafety officers and life-science researchers aligning laboratory safety standards.
Space
Planetary Defense
Cooperation on asteroid detection, space debris management, and planetary protection initiatives.
What we convene
Astronomers and engineers coordinating on near-Earth object tracking and debris.
Why Now
A window that needs to stay open
A series of leader-level meetings began to set the tone for sustained bilateral engagement in 2026, yet lasting results depend on institutions that keep working between summits.
May 2026 · Beijing
HeldLeaders' meeting
The two presidents agreed to pursue a constructive relationship of strategic stability, naming cooperation in health, agriculture, and people-to-people exchange.
Health · Food & Agriculture
Sept 2026 · Washington
HeldLeaders' meeting
The trade truce was extended and new channels were announced, including a dialogue on artificial intelligence and crisis communication.
AI
Nov 2026 · Shenzhen
UpcomingAPEC Leaders' Week
Scheduled. The next expected meeting of the two leaders.
Dec 2026 · Miami
UpcomingG20 Summit
Scheduled. A further setting for bilateral contact.
Based on public reporting. UC4 is not affiliated with either government.
How We Work
From dialogue to results
Each area of concern moves through the same cycle: we bring both sides together, work toward recommendations both can stand behind, and press for them to be taken up in official channels.
- 1
Identify
Choose a concern where both countries face the same problem and progress helps both.
- 2
Convene
Bring experts and former officials from both countries together in Track 2 and Track 1.5 dialogues.
- 3
Recommend
Produce joint recommendations that both sides can stand behind, and publish them.
- 4
Advance
Press for those recommendations in government-to-government channels, and connect institutions to carry them out.
People-to-people, expert-to-expert
Durable cooperation begins with professionals who know and trust one another. Sharing expertise and best practices builds a foundation that holds up when relations between governments are strained.
These relationships are also what make official engagement possible. They keep channels open, and they give policymakers on both sides someone to call.
Get Involved
Ways to take part
Tell us how you would like to contribute and we'll follow up.
Institutions
Universities, hospitals, research centers, nonprofits, and local governments seeking a counterpart in the other country.
Propose a partnershipExperts
Specialists, scholars, and former officials willing to take part in Track 2 dialogues in one of our areas of concern.
Offer expertiseVolunteers
Translators, organizers, and others who can help working groups run.
VolunteerFunders
Foundations and donors who want to sustain dialogue between the two countries.
Discuss support
Get In Touch
Send Us a Message
US-China Common Concern Committee
Bringing the United States and China together on the problems we share.