Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
Energizing a new generation of business leaders in China to build a sustainable and prosperous “good society” in a shifting global landscape.
Who We Are
Launched in 2013, the China Fellowship Program (CFP) aims to energize a new generation of private sector business leaders in China to build a sustainable and prosperous “good society” in a shifting global landscape.
Over two years, Fellows take moments to step away from the constant demands of leadership to engage in a rare kind of dialogue – one rooted not in tactics or transactions, but in enduring human questions:
What is a good society?
How should power be exercised?
What kind of legacy do I intend to leave?
Spanning across four multi-day seminars (approximately 25 days in total) and moderated by specially trained Aspen Institute moderators, each class of 20-22 China Fellows sits in the Aspen-style “hollow circle.” They engage directly with one another using Aspen’s time-tested, text-based dialogue method, discussing foundational texts drawn from philosophy, literature, history, and moral reasoning.
Every Fellow is successful. What many discover is a desire to move from success to significance, which leads to driving measurable positive impact. The Fellowship is designed to energize these leaders to transform their Fellowship experience into meaningful action that addresses the most pressing social and economic challenges in Chinese society and beyond.
Each Fellow develops what we call a leadership impact journey – a path developed during the Fellowship period that lasts a lifetime, and a chance to put your values into action.
In November 2025, 55 China Fellows from eight classes gathered in Penang, Malaysia in for a reunion centered on reflection, renewal, and imagination. Together, they explored George Town’s cultural heritage, engaged in deep dialogues on their leadership, and reconnected with a shared commitment to impact.
This gathering reaffirmed the Fellowship’s enduring mission to bridge China and the world while supporting one another as leaders navigating a rapidly changing global landscape.
