U.S.–China Relations in a New Era: Youth Voices and Expert Insights with David J. Firestein, CEO of the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations

David Firestein is the inaugural president and CEO, and is a founding Board member, of the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations.  A former U.S. diplomat, think tank executive, and professor and a noted expert, speaker and author on China, he has worked professionally on U.S.-China relations for most of the last thirty-five years.  A recipient of numerous major honors and accolades, including the 2023 Maurice R. ‘Hank” Greenberg Global Leadership Award, Firestein is one of the few Americans to have served concurrently on the boards of directors or advisors of legacy entities associated with U.S. presidents representing both major political parties.  He regularly briefs major U.S. and international business and investment groups on China and U.S.-China relations.  Firestein is a member of the boards of directors or advisors of over a dozen nonprofit organizations.  He is a near-native speaker of Mandarin Chinese.

Eliana Firestein is a 7th grade student at Lake Travis Middle School in Lakeway, Texas, a suburb of Austin.  She is a National Junior Honor Society member, a UIL Modern Oratory district finalist, and an accomplished athlete; a decorated soccer talent with multiple local championships to her name, Eliana’s current major athletic interests include gymnastics, equestrian (show jumping) and cross country.  Eliana has a strong interest in politics and policy.  She has given several talks at major venues, including Harvard University, Taiwan’s Tsinghua University, and Global Santa Fe, as well as at “Written in the Sky:  My China Story,” a 2024 New York City event hosted by the China Media Group and the Bank of China commemorating the 45th anniversary of U.S.-China relations.  Topics of Eliana’s past speeches include U.S.-China relations, U.S.-Taiwan relations, the Trump Administration’s approach to trade and tariffs, and nuclear weapons.  In addition to academics and sports, Eliana enjoys volunteering and fundraising in support of the community; she currently volunteers on a regular basis at a local canine rescue shelter.  She also enjoys playing violin for her school orchestra and rapping.  Eliana aspires to be a neurosurgeon or cardiothoracic surgeon.

Sienna Howard is an almost 11-year-old fifth grader in the Lake Travis ISD near Austin, Texas, whose energy, curiosity, and leadership shine in everything she does. She has trained in ballet since the age of two, spent several years in cheerleading, and now dedicates over 16 hours each week to gymnastics as a Level 6 Junior Olympic Program athlete. Beyond the gym, she enjoys horseback riding, hiking, cycling, swimming, and just about any outdoor adventure.

At school, she serves as President of the Student Council, where she loves encouraging new ideas and bringing people together. A bilingual speaker of English and Spanish, Sienna is passionate about traveling, discovering new cultures, and making friends wherever she goes. She also enjoys reading and cherishes time with her family.

With a heart for leadership and a mind eager to explore the world, Sienna reflects on how young people can shape the future and how friendships across cultures can create real change.

Hahnah Hochman is a senior at the United Nations International School (UNIS) in NYC. She plans to pursue a career in economics and global politics using her Spanish and Mandarin language skills. Beyond the classroom, Hahnah is the Co-Chair of UNIS-UN, an annual student-led conference hosted at the UN General Assembly Hall and attended by hundreds of students across the globe. She also founded the AFYA@UNIS Club, working with the Afya Foundation to reduce inequity and waste in healthcare. During the summer of 2024, Hahnah participated in the YLC exchange program and interned at the China Institute in America. She is the captain of the UNIS Girls’ Varsity Soccer team and, in her free time, loves reading and spending time with her two German Shepards.

Susan Yuqing Feng joined China Institute in America as Director of Programs in October of 2023. Before joining China Institute in America, Susan was the Editor in Chief of Bitpush News, a leading block chain media based in New York and a columnist for the Financial Times Chinese Edition.  

Throughout her journalism career, Susan conducted interviews with a multitude of world economic and political leaders, including Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Alan Greenspan, Paul Volker, President Clinton, Zbigniew Brzeziński, Michael Bloomberg, Thomas Friedman, and many more. Susan has also directed the documentary series “World Movers” which was released in March 2018. It illustrated the emerging new world order 70 years after WWII, shedding light on what has changed the U.S. and the world and the forces affecting everyone. It focused on the relationships between technology and globalization, the impact on immigration, and the future of U.S.-China relations.  

Susan graduated from Columbia University and got her MA in International Affairs.