Tragedies can create opportunities. In response to the chill in U.S.-China relations that followed the U.S.'s 1999 bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, the Committee began conceptualizing next generation programming as an investment into better future bilateral communications. Within the next few years, we launched the Public Intellectuals Program, Young Leaders Forum, Foreign Policy Colloquium, and Student Leaders Exchange — programs designed to engage future leaders of our two nations and to enhance the dialogue and build more lasting ties among them.