I can't help but think there are some answers in the past forums list of the McCain institute. The one in 2017 seems to have a large focus on China. Joe Biden attended one of the forums.

https://www.thesedonaforum.org/past-forums/the-sedona-forum-2017/

>>10987828

>>10987904

Interesting, AJ Bayless is a very familiar name.He was a navy man.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32822948/a-j-bayless-obituary/