YLFers enjoying some outdoor time

With U.S.-China relations taking on increasing importance in all spheres of life – economic, geopolitical, cultural – it becomes ever more vital to seek out opportunities that will enhance the dialogue between our countries and build lasting ties between our peoples.

The Young Leaders Forum (YLF), now in its eighth year, provides an excellent opportunity to do just that. Each year, YLF holds a 3½-day retreat to which a select group of exceptional American and Chinese young professionals are invited. Together, participants explore substantive issues and develop enduring friendships in a casual, intimate environment.

With a theme of "Success and Failure,” the 2009 Forum was held in Xiamen, Fujian Province. YLF Fellows drew from personal experience to discuss moments of success and failure, as well as the most salient lessons they derived from their experiences.

YLF Fellows come from a variety of fields. Fellows include government officials and politicians, authors, university leaders, entrepreneurs, and musicians and artists. Attention is given to geographic, gender, and ethnic diversity. Please click here for the bios of the 2009 Forum Attendees (675KB).

The National Committee, the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), and the Forum's sponsors – led in 2009 by ACE Limited and Aetos Capital – cover all lodging, food, and program costs of the YLF retreat, which alternate between a U.S. and China locale. Participants are asked to pay their own travel expenses to and from the venue, but some full or partial subsidies are available.