Commemorating Edwin J. Feulner

A History of CCG–Heritage Foundation Exchanges

Dr. Edwin J. Feulner, founder and long-time President of the Heritage Foundation, passed away at age 83 on July 18, 2025.

The Center for China and Globalization (CCG) had rich interactions with Dr. Feulner and the Heritage Foundation, among other leading U.S. thinktanks, over the past decade and a half. In memorial to Feulner, we revisit the history of exchanges between CCG and Dr. Feulner’s Heritage Foundation. These encounters exemplified a spirit of openness and dialogue in Sino-U.S. relations, even across ideological divides. Feulner believed in the value of face-to-face engagement, and his efforts helped bridge understanding between Chinese scholars and American conservative counterparts. Through these moments, we honor Feulner’s memory and reaffirm the importance of keeping dialogue open between China and even the most staunchly conservative U.S. institutions.

Dr. Feulner’s warm relationship with CCG began in earnest after 2008, after CCG emerged on the global think tank stage. He was receptive to engagement with Chinese peers and remained so even after retiring as Heritage’s president in 2013. Several notable high-profile meetings between Feulner and CCG leadership took place in the late 2010s, highlighting his commitment to dialogue.

In early 2017, Henry Huiyao Wang, Founder and President of CCG met Dr. Feulner.

October 2017 (Washington, D.C.) – CCG Delegation Visits Heritage Foundation: In the fall of 2017, a CCG delegation traveled to Washington. Our last stop was a visit to the Heritage Foundation’s headquarters, where we met with Dr. Feulner.

During this meeting, CCG President Dr. Wang Huiyao and Dr. Feulner held fruitful discussions on U.S.-China relations. Dr. Feulner warmly received the Chinese delegation. He praised CCG’s engagement, stressing that robust exchanges between think tanks can significantly aid both governments’ decision-making by reducing misunderstandings. Feulner also briefed the CCG team on Heritage’s operations and his involvement in advising the then-U.S. administration, underscoring a mutual desire to keep dialogue channels open even amid political shifts.

September 2018 (Washington, D.C.) – Heritage Luncheon with Feulner: The following year, as trade tensions simmered, Dr. Feulner again personally engaged with CCG visitors. On September 27, 2018, the Heritage Foundation hosted a private luncheon in Washington for a visiting CCG delegation. Also present were Asia Studies Director Walter Lohman and research fellow Patrick Tyrrell, among others. The discussion focused on the scope for U.S.-China economic and trade ties at a sensitive time in negotiations.

Feulner’s participation at the head of the table symbolized Heritage’s openness to candid dialogue. Both sides exchanged views on trade policy, investment, and areas where the two countries could still find common ground despite disputes. Chinese attendees noted his graciousness and strategic insight.

January 12, 2022 (Virtual) – Feulner and CCG in Online Dialogue: Even after the COVID-19 pandemic halted travel, Dr. Feulner continued to engage with CCG. On January 12, 2022, CCG and the Heritage Foundation jointly organized an online seminar titled “Outlook for U.S.-China Relations 2022.” Dr. Wang Huiyao and Dr. Feulner reconnected via video link during this event . In this candid virtual dialogue, moderated in part by Heritage, they discussed the trajectory of U.S.-China relations under the Biden administration and prospects for rebuilding trust. Feulner’s presence was a highlight – he offered historical perspective from his decades in Washington, assessing challenges and opportunities for the bilateral relationship in 2022. This virtual reunion demonstrated Feulner’s unwavering belief in engagement.

Former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, who had recently joined Heritage as a distinguished fellow, also joined the online discussion, adding insight from his diplomatic experience.

Dr. Feulner’s direct interactions with CCG over the years were marked by warmth, respect, and a genuine exchange of ideas. He consistently emphasized the value of open communication between the U.S. and China, even when political winds blew strong in Washington. In each encounter, Feulner acted as a bridge – sharing conservative viewpoints while listening to Chinese perspectives. His legacy in this regard is one of openness and civility: he demonstrated that even a proud conservative think tank leader saw merit in engaging across cultures. CCG, in return, viewed Feulner as a true friend in the American intellectual community. His passing is deeply felt, but the dialogues he helped initiate will be remembered as guiding lights for future Sino-American understanding. Beyond Dr. Feulner’s personal involvement, CCG and the Heritage Foundation built a broader relationship of exchange.

By commemorating Feulner, we also recognize how the Heritage Foundation under his influence remained open to engagement with CCG.

Heritage’s Ambassador Terry Miller came to a CCG thinktank event in 208

In April 2019, as U.S.-China trade talks approached a critical juncture, CCG held its Fifth China and Globalization Forum in Beijing, with the participation of Heritage’s Ambassador Terry Miller.

On May 23, 2019, Heritage Foundation’s Anthony B. Kim, Editor of the Index of Economic Freedom, came to a CCG-organized training session in Beijing.

In July 2023, CCG visited Michael Pillsbury, a prominent Heritage senior fellow and head of its China research program, at his Heritage office.

In October 2023, Pillsbury attended CCG’s conference and visited CCG’s Beijing headquarters.

Dr. Edwin J. Feulner played a pivotal role in opening doors between CCG and the Heritage Foundation. Under his leadership and afterwards, Heritage did not shy away from conversations with Chinese intellectuals – rather, it actively sought them out. Feulner’s personal meetings broke the ice at a time when many in Washington were growing skeptical of engagement. He proved that principled conservatives could still sit down with Chinese counterparts in search of mutual understanding. Each interaction – whether an informal breakfast, a formal forum, or a private luncheon – built incremental trust. These exchanges allowed both American and Chinese experts to explain their thinking, correct misperceptions, and even find unexpected areas of agreement.

CCG, for its part, has always advocated for open dialogue as a means to stablize Sino-American relations. In Dr. Feulner, CCG found a willing partner who often disagreed but shared the belief that communication is better than silence. Even when official relations soured or ideological divisions widened. As Feulner once noted during an exchange, think tank dialogues can help avoid misjudgments between great powers by ensuring each side’s views are heard . This wisdom rings true today more than ever.

Farewell to Ed – a scholar, leader, and bridge-builder. The many dialogues between CCG and Heritage that he inspired will remain a cornerstone of our institution’s memory. We will continue to cherish those moments of understanding and build on them - with other U.S. thinktanks and interlocutors as well.

In doing so, we keep alive Dr. Feulner’s hope that through honest exchange with , the United States and China can find a path in peaceful coexistence, even in challenging times. This, perhaps, is one of the most meaningful tributes we can offer to his legacy.