A variety of people and institutions have shaped the course of U.S.-China relations over the past five decades. Leaders Speak is a series of public forums that highlights the different roles decision-makers have played in determining the path of the most important bilateral relationship in the 21st century. Each panel features former U.S. cabinet officers, global business leaders, or Chinese leaders.

Leaders Speak is part of a series of events celebrating the National Committee’s 50th Anniversary. For more information about additional 50th Anniversary programs, please click here.

Click on the links below to learn more about past panels and view related multimedia:

Defense Secretaries

Harold Brown, William Cohen, Chuck HagelWilliam Perry
Video | Photos | Speaker Bios

Commerce Secretaries and U.S. Trade Representatives

Barbara FranklinCarla HillsSusan Schwab
Video | Photos | Speaker Bios

National Security Advisors

Richard AllenStephen Hadley, Robert McFarlane
Video | Photos | Speaker Bios

Secretaries of State

Madeleine AlbrightHenry Kissinger 
Video | Photos | Speaker Bios

Treasury Secretaries

W. Michael Blumenthal, Timothy GeithnerJacob LewRobert Rubin 
Video | PhotosSpeaker Bios

Business Leaders

Olivier BrandicourtPeter CohenEllen Kullman 
Video | Photos | Speaker Bios 

PACOM Commanders

Dennis BlairTimothy KeatingSamuel LocklearJoseph Prueher 
Video | Photos | Speaker Bios