We are a group of young people writing an open letter.
Our ask to Biden and Xi is simple:
Work together where it matters.
We are a group of young people writing an open letter.
Our ask to Biden and Xi is simple:
Work together where it matters.
The US and China differ in many ways,
but the same existential challenges affect us all.
That is why we’re writing to the leadership of these two countries with a simple request:
Despite our differences, let’s cooperate where it matters most.
Climate Change
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Technology Risk
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Pandemics
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Poverty
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War
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Climate Change • Technology Risk • Pandemics • Poverty • War •
The Letter
Dear President Biden and President Xi,
We are members of the next generation, writing to express our concern over the deteriorating relationship between the United States and China. As young people who will build lives, careers, and communities in the coming decades, we call on leadership from both countries to defend the hard-won foundations for global cooperation.
Maintaining peace, overcoming poverty, fighting climate change, improving public health, and mitigating technological risk - the defining issues of our era can only be solved through the joint effort of all nations. While the US and China differ on certain interests, the world’s two largest economies bear unique responsibility to safeguard common ground for addressing humanity’s collective challenges.
Yet, decades of progress now hang in the balance as U.S.-China relations have entered into a downward spiral, fueled by a mutual breakdown of trust. These faltering ties have come at great cost to ordinary people in the U.S., China, and around the World. We, the youth, now face the prospect of inheriting a world so deeply fragmented that we find ourselves powerless before shared threats.
With the future in mind, as young people in the U.S., China, and all around the World, we call on you to:
Reopen and preserve channels of communication, especially consistent inter-governmental dialogue.
Ensure and maintain systematic collaboration on the most critical global issues, such as climate change, public health, technological risk, and international peace.
Remove barriers to, and instead revitalize, cultural and academic exchange between the two nations.
With visionary leadership from both nations, we believe that a path can yet be forged towards a more collaborative global community. This is the world we want to build together.
Sincerely,
Members of the next generation from all around the world
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FAQs
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Who are we?
Our core working group consists of 11 young people. We come from all around the world, including the US, China, Canada, Singapore, Israel, the UK and Slovenia. All of us are students or young professionals, and volunteer our time to make this project happen.
Who is funding this?
This project did not start with any initial funding. We have been contributing our own time and effort, while the website was set up with our own money (less than $50 for first-month hosting and subscription fees). However, we have decided to start a crowdfunding effort in order to maximize the impact of this project. More details in the “What will you do with donations?” section of the FAQ.
Who are we NOT?
We are not affiliated with any formal organization, government, or political group.
We are not funded or sponsored by any individual, organization, government, or political group.
We are not pursuing any material or financial gains from this project - we are just seeking to express our desire for and contribute to an improved US-China relationship!
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Why this letter?
The core working group was started when a few of us, deeply concerned about the state of US-China relations, decided we needed to at least try and make our voices heard. We have each experienced in different ways the consequences of declining US-China relations, from ethnic discrimination to undue pushback in joint projects examining shared global issues.
In the overwhelmingly negative news and cynical voices around the US-China relationship, most of which are driven by politicians from an older generation, we wanted to remind the world that there are key issues to our future that require collaboration from both sides.
Why should I care?
US-China relations have deep implications for the following shared global issues:
Poverty: Despite the number of people living in extreme poverty declining over the past three decades, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a rise in this number by 70 million, to over 700 million people. Current global conditions, including rising food and energy prices in conjunction with slowed economic growth, pose as barriers to the continuance of poverty reduction. The U.S. and China, as the world's two largest economies and major investors in developing, impoverished regions, ought to collaborate on the global mission of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity.
Peace: In an interconnected world, the dynamics between the United States and China undeniably set the tone for international relations. As the two superpowers navigate their differences, their joint commitment to peace not only prevents potential conflict but also provides a beacon of hope for other nations. A collaborative US-China relationship assures stability, reduces the chance of miscalculations leading to conflict, and lays down a blueprint for peaceful coexistence for the rest of the world. In light of the extant security challenges in regions such as the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and in domains like space and cyberspace, this letter underscores the imperative for both nations to sustain the trajectory of global progress and economic vitality. We ardently urge both nations to collaboratively navigate these challenges and formulate shared strategies for the pressing security concerns of our era.
Climate Change: The US is the world’s top greenhouse gas emitter per capita, while China is the world’s top greenhouse gas emitter overall. In 2014, the two nations paved the way to the historic Paris Agreement by issuing a Joint Announcement on Climate Change. Yet, since then, climate cooperation has taken a back seat to other political issues, while the Northern hemisphere just had its hottest summer ever and the UN just released a dire report card for how the world is doing on Paris Agreement goals.
Global Health: Urgent global health challenges like pandemics, antibiotic resistance, and chronic diseases have demonstrated the need for immediate, collaborative action. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it abundantly clear that these issues transcend borders and politics. What's required now is a non-cynical, cooperative approach focused solely on safeguarding global health and the well being of citizens around the world. Given these pressing concerns, collaboration between the U.S. and China is not just beneficial—it's imperative.
Technological Risk: Rapid technological advances in recent years have empowered Artificial Intelligence (AI) to engage in a wide range of activities that could potentially pose a threat to human existence if necessary global guardrails are not established. The moral and technological hazards of weaponized AI especially call for the U.S. and China to cooperate on global AI governance instead of a runway arms race that could be detrimental to the human race.
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Will this actually be sent to Biden and Xi?
We will send this letter, including its signatories, to key American policymakers, including Biden, while raising public awareness that there is a group of young people concerned about the costs of US-China decoupling.
Given the very different social and political landscape in China, we will not attempt to send this letter directly to Xi or publish it within China. However, we have seen efforts to express similar sentiments within China.
Who has access to the signature list?
Your name, age, nationality, and affiliation (if you choose to share) will be displayed on the signatories list. You are free to only leave your first name and last initial.
Your email is required for verification purposes and will not be public. If you opt in to receiving updates, we will send reports on the project’s progress to your inbox - no spam, we promise.
Where is my data stored?
The data is encrypted and stored on Google servers, which are spread across US, Europe, Singapore, Japan, and Taiwan. Google does not operate servers in mainland China. Only a 3-person IT team within the core working group will have access to the full list of email addresses.
What if I change my mind?
At any point, if you wish to remove your signature, email us at contact@bidenxi-nextgen.org.
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What are funds used for?
The donations will be used for operational costs of the website, and social media and news media publicity campaigns to expand the reach of our message.
Our Fundraising Principles
Our funding goals are (i) to increase the reach of this letter, and (ii) accelerate political outreach with the Biden administration - all funds will go to advancing these goals
Expenses are transparently shared, with a clear rationale for each expense
Our small team works on an unpaid, voluntary basis
This project is not beholden to any special interest groups or large donors - we are 100% funded by small donations under $1,000
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Aside from signing and donating, if you know any folks influential in the US-China policy space, please send them the letter! Alternatively, we’d appreciate an introduction :) Contact details below!
Contact
We welcome any questions, comments, or feedback! Reach out at contact@bidenxi-nextgen.org.