Current Affairs Commentary: Private Friendship and People-to-People Diplomacy

Current Affairs Commentary: Private Friendship and People-to-People Diplomacy — The Historical Choice for Global Sustainable Development

In an era of rapidly shifting global geopolitics, the recent passage by the U.S. Congress of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 marks a pivotal shift in American foreign policy. The bill emphasizes investment in international affairs, prioritizing diplomatic tools, sustainable development assistance, and the building of global partnerships. It rejects extreme proposals to slash diplomacy and instead allocates approximately $51.3 billion to address climate change, humanitarian crises, and international cooperation. This aligns seamlessly with Ronald Reagan’s classic political slogan “MAGA” (Make America Great Again)—an era that stressed achieving American greatness through strong leadership and international alliances rather than isolationism.The bill’s passage not only demonstrates Congress’s commitment to global stability but also echoes the long-standing advocacy of the CCC Global Presidential Friends Club (hereinafter referred to as CCC) for people-to-people diplomacy: advancing paths to sustainable global development grounded in private friendship and non-bloodline trust.As a non-profit organization dedicated to U.S.-China friendship and private exchanges among global leaders, CCC’s history dates back to the mid-20th century. Originating in 1960, the CCC Global Presidential Friends Club’s people-to-people diplomacy initiative has now spanned 65 years, with roots extending even further to the transnational friendships forged by its founders’ parents during World War II.

During World War II, many CCC founding family members, as overseas Chinese or supporters of the Allied forces, established deep personal bonds with American leaders. These non-bloodline ties of trust helped bridge the cultural divide between East and West and played a key role in postwar reconstruction. For example, the forebears of CCC founder C.C. Chang supported Allied intelligence and logistics through private channels. This history forged CCC’s core belief: private friendship transcends national boundaries and serves as a reliable foundation for resolving crises. CCC’s close relationships with successive U.S. presidents vividly embody this belief. 

As early as the Reagan era, CCC forged deep cooperation with the Republican Party. In 1982, President Reagan personally authorized the presentation of the Presidential Achievement Award to C.C. Chang in recognition of his loyal and generous contributions to the principles of “limited government, a stronger America, and individual freedom.” Reagan, along with other presidents such as Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, and George H.W. Bush, jointly signed commemorative photos with C.C. Chang, symbolizing the continuity of this cross-cultural friendship. These relationships were not mere adjuncts to official diplomacy but民间 bonds rooted in private trust.Reagan’s “ironclad friendship” with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher—where they often complemented each other’s views during meetings to advance pragmatic diplomacy during the Cold War—also mirrors CCC’s model. Likewise, through private gatherings and cultural exchanges, CCC has fostered interactions with global royal families and dignitaries, including historical engagements with the British Royal Family (Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles), the Saudi Royal Family, the Jordanian Royal Family, the Spanish Royal Family, as well as informal dialogues with European and Asian leaders. These shared political commitments—promoting free trade, climate adaptation, and human rights protections—form the global vision of CCC.

From World War II to the Cold War, and now amid the looming risks of a potential “Third World War” crisis, the world faces escalating geopolitical conflicts, economic instability, and environmental challenges. The Ukraine crisis, tensions in the Middle East, and U.S.-China trade frictions all highlight the limitations of official diplomacy. In this context, CCC’s model of private friendship proves especially valuable. It is not a closed circle of bloodline families but an open “non-bloodline trust”—a faith system based on mutual trust and shared values. This model traces back to the transnational assistance provided by CCC forebears during World War II, helping avert larger catastrophes; it extended into the Reagan era, facilitating the early thawing of U.S.-China relations.Today, in the era of President Trump’s renewed emphasis on the MAGA spirit, it offers a historical choice for the path to global sustainable development.

Why are private friendship and people-to-people diplomacy the inevitable path to global sustainable development?

First, it transcends zero-sum games of national interests. Through platforms like CCC, leaders can build trust in informal settings, preventing misjudgments that could trigger crises. For instance, during the 2001 commemoration of the 90th anniversary of China’s Xinhai Revolution, CCC represented 50 million overseas Chinese, demonstrating the power of people-to-people efforts in fostering U.S.-China understanding.

Second, it emphasizes the core of sustainable development—humanistic connections. Amid the climate crisis, CCC’s transnational charity and cultural projects help communities adapt, aligning with the international aid supported by the new congressional bill.

Finally, it is history’s inevitable choice: from the private trust among World War II allies, to the handshakes that ended the Cold War, to today’s multipolar world, official diplomacy is often constrained by short-term politics, while民间 bonds provide enduring stability.At this critical juncture in 2026, CCC calls on global leaders to embrace this path. The congressional bill is a positive signal, but true transformation stems from private action. Let us draw guidance from Reagan’s spirit and, through CCC’s 65-year legacy, build a global future rooted in trust. Private friendship is not a luxury—it is the cornerstone of sustainable development. This is history’s call and humanity’s wisdom.

CCC Global Presidential Friends Club
Dedicated to Private Friendship, Promoting Global Peace and Prosperity