In 2017, the National Committee established a Track II dialogue between the United States and China to discuss issues surrounding healthcare faced by both nations, in partnership with the National School of Development (NSD) at Peking University. Under the theme, “Providing Effective Healthcare,” this ongoing bi-annual dialogue examines the effectiveness of the healthcare systems in China and the United States and recommends ways to better measure and manage the delivery and efficiency of healthcare in the two countries. In addressing the topic, participants consider the current plans of and challenges facing both nations, including, in the case of China, the proposals for “Healthy China” set out in the 13th Five-Year Plan, and, in the case of the United States, ongoing changes to the healthcare system.

The dialogue participants are evenly divided between the United States and China, and are experts in the field, along with corporate representatives from different industrial sectors. The United States team is led by Dr. Mark McClellan, former commissioner of the FDA and administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The leader of the Chinese delegation is Dr. Liu Qian, former vice minister of the Ministry of Health. Heading the NSD’s efforts is Dr. Gordon Liu, a leading expert on health and development economics who sits on the China State Council Health Reform Advisory Commission.

Read the July 2023 consensus (PDF)

2023 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on Healthcare  
  
July 10, 2023 to July 11, 2023  
Durham, NC  
  
The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the National School of Development at Peking University convened the eighth Track II Dialogue on Healthcare in person at the JB Duke Hotel in Durham, North Carolina on July 10 and 11, 2023. The dialogue brought together American and Chinese experts from academia, think tanks, and industry for off-the-record discussions on healthcare issues pertaining to both countries.  
  
This was the first time in four years that the two teams had seen each other in person; the prior three sessions of the Dialogue took place virtually over Zoom, due to the pandemic. All members greatly appreciated the opportunity to talk freely with their American and Chinese colleagues, especially at a time of continuing tension between the two nations. The group discussed various issues, including healthcare innovation and regulatory harmonization; how to develop more resilient and sustainable healthcare systems; and improving preparedness and response to future pandemics and global health emergencies. The participants agreed that collaboration between China and the United States is critical to improving global healthcare and expressed the hope that both governments would start to work with each other at a high level. The two sides developed a consensus agreement, which was distributed to both governments. 

2022 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on Healthcare 

July 20 and July 22, 2022
Zoom meeting

The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the National School of Development at Peking University convened the seventh Track II Dialogue on Healthcare virtually through Zoom on July 20 and 22, 2022. The dialogue brought together American and Chinese experts from academia, think tanks, and industry for off-the-record discussions on healthcare issues pertaining to both countries. 
 
Held in the third year of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting occurred at a time when fraught relations between the two countries have made cooperation on the pandemic and other health issues challenging. Despite the difficult geopolitical climate, participants were encouraged by the virtual meeting, identifying several areas for potential collaboration, such as on new COVID treatments, increasing ties between healthcare agencies, and promoting data sharing in nonsensitive areas. They expressed hope that they could meet in person next year and repeatedly emphasized that healthcare cooperation should set an example for Sino-American collaboration in other areas, as it historically has not been as controversial as some other fields. The two sides developed a consensus agreement, which was distributed to both governments. 

2021 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on Healthcare

July 20, 2021 to July 21, 2021
Zoom meeting


The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the National School of Development at Peking University convened the sixth Track II Dialogue on Healthcare virtually through Zoom on July 20 and 21, 2021 (July 20 and 22, 2021 in China). The dialogue brought together American and Chinese experts from academia, think tanks, and industry for off-the-record discussions on healthcare issues pertaining to both countries.

The meeting took place at a time when both countries, and the world, are still struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The fraught relations between the United States and China have made cooperation on the pandemic and other health issues challenging. Recognizing this situation, the dialogue participants focused on ways Americans and Chinese can collaborate on the pandemic, as well as other health issues, and on scientific, technological, and implementation developments that may improve public health and the delivery of healthcare to their respective societies and around the world. The two sides developed a consensus agreement, which has been shared with both governments.

2020 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on Healthcare

July 13, 2020 to July 14, 2020
Zoom meeting


The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the National School of Development at Peking University convened the fifth Track II Dialogue on Healthcare virtually through Zoom on July 13 and 14, 2020 (July 13 and 15, 2020 in China). The dialogue brought together American and Chinese experts from academia, think tanks, and industry for off-the-record discussions on healthcare issues pertaining to both countries. The meeting took place at a time when both countries, and the world, were dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation led the dialogue participants to focus on public health concerns and how China and the United States can work together to envision, prepare for, and deal with crises similar to the current pandemic. The two sides developed a consensus agreement, which has been shared with both governments.

2019 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on Healthcare

June 18, 2019 to June 20, 2019
Jiangyin, Jiangsu, China


The fourth iteration of the National Committee’s healthcare dialogue was held in Jiangyin, a city in Jiangsu Province. The dialogue brought together seven American and 12 Chinese experts in the field and representatives of major healthcare companies, along with four observers from both countries. A wide range of topics, including regulatory science and capacity building, health technology assessments, technology payment, and value-based care, was discussed, as were possible projects to address care reform opportunities in both countries. The mayor of Jiangyin and other city officials provided an introduction to the local healthcare system and a tour of medical facilities in the city. As with previous dialogues, this one concluded with a consensus agreement that sets out key points of discussion and suggestions for policy changes in both countries. This document is circulated to relevant departments in both governments for their consideration.

2018 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on Healthcare

November 5, 2018 to November 7, 2018
Warrenton, VA


The third healthcare dialogue was held at Airlie, a conference center in Warrenton, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C. The dialogue brought together eight American participants and eight Chinese participants, consisting of experts in the field and representatives of major healthcare companies, as well as three observers from both countries. Past dialogues have developed a common understanding and foundation for addressing key shared challenges between both countries. The third dialogue built on these themes, recognizing that achieving progress will require more ongoing collaboration between the United States and China, and that such healthcare collaborations can help address the growing tensions related to trade between the two nations. The two sides discussed a wide range of topics, including medical technology development; health insurance reform and the role of the private sector; advancing value-based care models; public health; and areas of possible cooperation in healthcare between the United States and China. On the third day, Chinese participants attended the Chinese Hospital Association’s forum in downtown Washington, D.C., and met with the Kaiser J. Family Foundation. Each dialogue session concludes with a consensus agreement, setting out key points of discussion among the participants, and suggestions for policy changes. This document is circulated to relevant departments in both governments for their consideration.

January 19, 2018 to January 21, 2018
Beijing, China

The second healthcare dialogue was held in Beijing from January 19 to 21, 2018. Our co-organizer, the National School of Development at Peking University, hosted the group at the Yanqi Lake International Convention Center, located in the northern suburbs of the city. This gathering brought together participants from both China and the United States, consisting of experts in the field and representatives of major healthcare companies, as well as seven observers from both countries. Following up on the broad discussions in the previous dialogue, the two sides focused on reforming healthcare to improve population health; the opportunities of big data and information technology; how to reform payment and delivery systems; and how to encourage innovation in each country. Following the dialogue, the two sides developed a consensus agreement, documenting areas of discussion and recommendations to both countries.

2017 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on Healthcare

July 11, 2017 to July 14, 2017
Warrenton, VA


The first healthcare dialogue was held at Airlie, a conference center in Warrenton, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C. This initial gathering brought together 11 participants from each of China and the United States, consisting of experts in the field and representatives of major healthcare companies, as well as 10 observers from both countries. During the two-day meeting, the two sides learned about the structure of and issues confronting the healthcare system in the other country, and discussed a wide range of topics, including biomedical innovation; health system innovation and technology assessment; population health; and areas of possible cooperation in healthcare between the United States and China. Following the dialogue, the two sides developed a consensus agreement, documenting areas of discussion and recommendations to both countries.
2023 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on Healthcare
July 2023 Consensus Agreement (PDF)

2022 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on Healthcare
July 2022 Consensus Agreement (PDF)

2021 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on Healthcare
July 2021 Consensus Agreement (PDF)

2020 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on Healthcare
July 2020 Consensus Agreement (PDF)

2019 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on Healthcare
June 2019 Consensus Agreement (PDF)

2018 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on Healthcare
November 2018 Consensus Agreement (PDF)
January 2018 Consensus Agreement (PDF)

2017 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on Healthcare
July 2017 Consensus Agreement (PDF)

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