The 2025 China Conference examined pressing issues in China, bringing together speakers from all over the world to discuss the progress that can be made when business and policy work in tandem. Matthew Nie MPP 2025, co-chair of this year’s China Conference, reflected on his experience helping to lead this event during his time at HKS.
Read his thoughts below.
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How did you get involved with the China Conference this year?
Having served as one of the co-chairs for last year's China Conference, I felt strongly about continuing to facilitate deeper, unbiased conversations about China, particularly given the current critical juncture in U.S.-China relations.
While Harvard Kennedy School offers numerous opportunities to discuss policy issues related to China—through events hosted by the school and student caucuses, professors, and classmates—I observed a troubling decline in nuanced understandings of China as a nation, its industries, people, and culture, rather than merely as a competitor or adversary. This gap in genuine understanding motivated me to again take a leadership role in shaping the conference, alongside my ongoing responsibilities as a student leader of the Greater China Society, which regularly organizes China-focused academic and cultural events.
What gap in policy discussions were you hoping to fill with this conference?
We aimed to address two key themes: China's relationship with the rest of the world and its own domestic development.
This year, we notably partnered with students from Latin America to organize a panel dedicated to exploring China-Latin America relations—an essential but often overlooked dimension in policy discussions at HKS. While the U.S.-China dynamic frequently dominates conversations, China’s engagement with the Global South carries significant implications, especially as both powers compete for influence in these regions. Highlighting this relationship provides critical insights for future leaders navigating bilateral and multilateral challenges.
Additionally, we emphasized timely global issues. As a moderator for the keynote panel on U.S.-China trade relations, I co-designed a dialogue featuring economists, think tank experts, and trade policy practitioners who collectively represented U.S., Chinese, and third-country perspectives. This approach ensured balanced, insightful, and candid discussions on the trade war’s logic and its intended and unintended consequences, effectively addressing gaps often neglected in typical policy discussions.
In what ways was this year’s China Conference important to you?
This year’s China Conference held personal significance as it marked the culmination of my involvement with student-run conferences in the U.S. Since my undergraduate years at Columbia University, organizing student conferences has been an important part of my academic journey. In my HKS application, I explicitly expressed my goal of leveraging the school’s platform to host meaningful discussions on China. After two years of organizing this conference, I feel proud to have fulfilled one of my central objectives at HKS: facilitating constructive dialogue, building mutual understanding, and advocating effectively for nuanced perspectives on my country.
Beyond professional achievements, the conference provided an invaluable opportunity to build deep connections with peers. Co-leading this event alongside Yuefeng Wang MPP 2025 and Selina Gong MPP 2026 and collaborating with a passionate team of 39 students, was a profoundly rewarding experience. I remain immensely grateful for the platform and support provided by HKS as I conclude this chapter of my academic career.
“After two years of organizing this conference, I feel proud to have fulfilled one of my central objectives at HKS: facilitating constructive dialogue, building mutual understanding, and advocating effectively for nuanced perspectives on my country.”
What key message did you want to communicate through this event?
Our core message is encapsulated in this year’s conference theme: “Bridging Nexus: Policy and Business in Tandem,” or in Chinese, 策象未来 (cè xiàng wèi lái).
“策” (cè) signifies policy and strategy, emphasizing the capacity to drive transformative change, while “象” (xiàng) denotes vision, future trends, and the crucial intersections between government and business. Together, these characters symbolize the imperative for future leaders to integrate both policy insights and business acumen in addressing global challenges. To reinforce this message, we invited numerous business leaders, particularly from China’s real estate and green energy sectors, to discuss critical policy issues at HKS. Their perspectives highlighted the necessity of co-developing U.S.-China policy and business strategies.
Ultimately, we hope attendees recognize the interconnectedness of global issues and appreciate the importance of collaborative problem-solving, even in times of geopolitical tension.
What were some memorable moments? Was there anything that surprised you?
One particularly memorable moment was the guest banquet held the evening before the conference. During the dinner, 11-year-old Eliana Firestein delivered an insightful speech about the U.S.-China tariff war, articulating the importance and rationale of free trade to an audience of over 60 guests and organizers. Her clarity and eloquence deeply resonated with attendees and underscored the value of multilateral engagement.
This moment echoed a sentiment shared later during the panel on China’s role in multilateral organizations. When I asked panelists during the Q&A session why we should remain hopeful about multilateralism, a guest referenced HKS’s motto, “Ask what you can do,” encouraging us not to ask what multilateralism can do for us, but what we can do to support multilateralism at this critical juncture. This optimism was inspiring and reinforced our commitment to fostering constructive global dialogue.
Additionally, the performance at our banquet—featuring artists from Berklee College of Music and a violinist from HKS playing traditional Chinese music—offered guests a culturally enriching experience, highlighting the beauty and depth of Chinese culture.
What do you hope attendees took away from the conference?
Given the diversity of panels—including discussions involving former United States Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China and HKS Professor Nick Burns, China-Latin America relations, U.S.-China relations, U.S.-China trade dynamics, energy transitions, real estate, future leadership, multilateral organizations, and artificial intelligence—I anticipate attendees gained varied and personalized insights.
However, my overarching hope is that everyone left with a more nuanced understanding of China-related issues. Regardless of individual perspectives, deeper insight into China’s views, motivations, and cultural contexts enriches any policy debate. Encouraging informed, empathetic engagement was at the heart of our conference’s mission.
Photos courtesy of Winston Tang
