So it’s the year of the snake, which really brings up the question, how are snakes doing in China? “Culturally, snakes are more venerated in China than in the United States,” says Chinese snake expert and enthusiast Michael Ring.

Shen Xin, a prominent Chinese public diplomacy official, reflects on the changing role of culture in U.S.-China relations in a conversation with CUSEF President James Chau. Shen argues that while culture may not directly resolve geopolitical issues, it creates space for meaningful dialogue, particularly among young people.

James Chau — CUSEF President — and Shen Xin — Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries — discuss how visual arts, music, and theater serve as a universal language that fosters global understanding. They stress that people to people exchange drive collaboration, innovation, and cultural enrichment.