What they say

China Daily Global | Updated: 2019-09-19 08:16

I don't agree with people in Washington who think that China is our adversary. China is too big to contain, and the relationship between China and the United States too complicated to take apart.... That relationship is like an iceberg: one sees the sharp-edged part that's above the water, but there's a big lump underneath, below the water line, that provides the stability.

Nicholas Platt accompanied US president Richard Nixon on his historic trip to Beijing in 1972, and was responsible for organizing a China tour for the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1973

The Philadelphia Orchestra's 1973 visit to China sent an important signal that the US was serious about deeper relationships with China.... We went to China when there was no relationship, we went to China when there was a great relationship, and we went to China this May when the two countries are entering the next phase of relationship.... Every time I was there, I was amazed by the interactions between the people and our musicians. The connection now is stronger than ever.

Ryan Fleur, executive director of the Philadelphia Orchestra

For very obvious reasons, it's one of, if not the most, important relationships in the world. Obviously some people in our government think otherwise, but something that my family and I are dedicated to is fostering the relationship with China and the US. It starts at a ground level. It starts at events like these, having personal relationships, and making it a big part of your life.

Steven C. Rockefeller Jr., a businessman in the financial services industry and chairman and CEO of the Rose Rock Group, a global investment firm started by the Rockefeller family

Last year, I brought a group of students from New York to participate in the 10-day Beijing Joyful Dance Festival. They had never been out of the five boroughs of New York and suddenly they are in China. When we were at the 'Bird's Nest', the National Stadium, we saw so many Chinese people waving the American flag. To me, it was a manifestation of love.

Charles Sullivan, president of Premier Event Management

The role of the Chinese Cultural Foundation is to use cultural things that people share to bring them together, instead of driving them apart. Our honorary chairman, Maurice Greenberg, has often said:'The relationship between China and the US is the most important relationship ever, and it will only get better.' There will be temporary adjustments, but it's so important.

John Allen, co-founder of the Chinese Cultural Foundation

There will be a resolution (to the trade dispute). Everybody likes to show a strong hand at the beginning and then back off, including (US President Donald) Trump. That's the way he operates. He wants to show strength at the beginning, then he will relent and end up with an agreement. It is very important to have good relations, harmonious relations, between the two most powerful countries in the world.