Duke-UNC China Leadership Summit

"Beyond Binary: Reimagining US-China Narratives" (2024)

In the past few years, we have witnessed the US-China relationship take a dramatic turn for the worse: escalating geopolitical tension in the South China Sea, breakdown of diplomatic ties, and a rise in cultural protectionism. Above all, we find that the narrative has become increasingly myopic, projecting a future premised on mutually exclusive principles: China or the US, war or peace, autocracy or democracy. The US-China bilateral relationship will not only influence the life of Chinese and American people but also the trajectory of international politics. As such, CLS seeks to diversify the perspectives and solutions presented through our 2024 conference theme of Beyond Binary: Reimagining US-China Narratives.

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What is CLS?

The Duke-UNC China Leadership Summit (CLS) invites leading experts to speak on topics of importance to the U.S.-China relations and create a platform for students from across the United States and all over the world to exchange perspectives on these issues, connect with speakers, and network with one another. CLS hosted students for the first time in spring of 2011. Since then, our annual conference has more than tripled in size from 40 students in 2011 to 150 students in 2023.

14 Annual Summits

40 Represented Universities

1337 Student Delegates

This Year's Speakers

Our past speakers have been experts on U.S.-China relations and China studies, ranging from diplomats, senior officials, government advisors, retired senior military officers, and leaders of international organizations to scientists, professors, research fellows, journalists, activists, and artists. They come from both China and the United States as well as other parts of the world, represent a diverse set of opinions and perspectives, and bring meaningful insights to our summit. This year's speakers are no different:

What Does CLS Do?

CLS brings together the most promising undergraduates from around China and the U.S. each year who are interested in deepening their understanding of China and creating a more productive relationship between the U.S. and China. As a delegate, you will attend panels, roundtable discussions, seminars and keynote speeches led by professionals committed to the U.S.-China relationship in various fields including academia, business, government, and social activism. You will have the chance to discuss some of the most pressing issues pertaining to Sino-U.S. relations with your peers as well as network with our speakers, corporate sponsors and each other.