About the Seminar Series
The National Defense University’s Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) has partnered with the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) to present an exciting seminar series for 2005 examining China’s growing influence in Asia and its implications for the United States. The series focuses primarily on non-military aspects of Chinese power, with particular emphasis on China’s rapidly expanding economy. Seminars examine the sources of Chinese influence, China’s likely use of that influence in Asia, and the various implications for the region and the United States. A key component of the series is our effort to address the nexus between economics and security by investigating a wide variety of issues and presenting speakers with expertise in these areas.
The format of each seminar depends on the topic. Some feature a guest
speaker followed by a commentator with complementary expertise. Others
feature a panel of experts that bring different perspectives to bear on
the issue. Our seminars are open to the public with experts from U.S.
government agencies, research institutions, and private sector organizations
especially encouraged to attend. Following the public seminar the presenters
meet privately with a “Core Group” of experts drawn from different disciplines
for more in-depth exploration of that day’s topic. There will be approximately
one seminar a month throughout 2005, and seminar reports will be posted
shortly after each conclusion.
Completed Seminars
Seminar 1: “Will China be a Coherent Strategic Actor in Asia?” March 14, 2005. [Click for details.]
Seminar 2: “How sustainable is China’s economic growth?” April 21, 2005. [Click for details.]
Seminar 3: “Will technology be a source of Chinese economic power and regional influence?” May 13, 2005. [Click for details.]
Seminar 4: "China, Taiwan, and Asia: Is Economics Reshaping Politics?" June 15, 2005. [Click for details.]
Seminar 5: “China and the new Economic Geography of Asia” July 21,2005. [Click for details.]
Seminar 6: "Competing Visions of Regional Economic Integration", September 30, 2005. [Click for details.]
Seminar 7: "Regional Institutions and Asian Integration" November 4, 2005 [Click for details.]
Seminar 8: "Will China wield 'Soft Power' in Asia" December 12, 2005 [Click for details.]
Policy Conference
China in Asia: Chinese Influence, Asian Strategies, and U.S. Policy Responses (February 23, 2006)
Three key findings emerged from the policy conference:
- China’s economic and military power is increasing, and many Asian countries (especially in Southeast Asia) are accommodating China’s increasing influence.
- Many presenters saw U.S. activities in Asia as lacking a clear strategic direction and having limited impact compared to Chinese efforts.
- Several presenters argued that the United States needs to support Asian regional integration and be more actively engaged in regional institutions if it wants to sustain its regional influence.
Details & Products
Speaker: Professor David Shambaugh, George Washington University
Discussant: Dr. Ashley Tellis, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Video & transcript available at: http://www.aei.org/events/eventID.1032,filter.all/event_detail.asp#
Core Group discussion summary
Speaker: Mikkal Herberg, National Bureau of Asian Research
Speaker: Nicholas Lardy, Institute for International Economics
Video & transcript available at: http://www.aei.org/events/eventID.1059,filter.all/event_detail.asp.
Core Group discussion summary
Speaker: Ernest Preeg, Manufacturers Alliance
Speaker: Tai Ming Cheung, Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation at UC San Diego
Discussant: Will Martin, World Bank
Video & transcript available at: http://www.aei.org/events/eventID.1071,filter.all/event_detail.asp
Core Group discussion summary
Speaker: Dr. Phillip Saunders, National Defense University
Speaker: Mr. Terry Cooke, Foreign Policy Research Institute
Speaker: Dr. Shelley Rigger, Davidson College
Video & transcript available at: http://www.aei.org/events/eventID.1084,filter.all/event_detail.asp
Speaker: Mr. Daniel Rosen, Institute for International Economics
Discussant: Dr. Ellen Frost, Institute for International Economics & National Defense University
Discussant: Mr. Dan Blumenthal, American Enterprise Institute
Video & transcript available at: http://www.aei.org/events/type.past,filter.all,eventID.1109/event_detail.asp
Moderator: Dr. Ellen Frost, Institute for International Economics & National Defense University
Speaker: Dr. Pek Koon Heng, American University
Speaker: Dr. Ed Lincoln, Council on Foreign Relations
Speaker: Dr. Claude Barfield, American Enterprise Institute
Video & transcript available at: http://www.aei.org/events/type.past,filter.all,eventID.1161/event_detail.asp
Moderator: Dr. Claude Barfield, AEI
Speaker: Dr. Evelyn Goh, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Singapore
Speaker: Dr. Sheldon Simon, Arizona State University
Speaker: Mr. Joshua Kurlantzick, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Commentator: Dr. Elizabeth Economy, Council on Foreign Relations
Commentator: Dr. Robert Sutter, Georgetown University
The series is moderated by Dr. Phillip Saunders (Senior Fellow at INSS/NDU), Dr. Ellen L. Frost (Adjunct Research Fellow at INSS/NDU and Visiting Fellow at the Institute for International Economics), Dr. Claude Barfield (Resident Scholar and Director of Science and Technology Policy Studies at AEI) and Mr. Dan Blumenthal (Resident Fellow at AEI). They are supported by Ms. Tamara Shie (INSS/NDU), Ms. Jessica Browning (AEI), and Mr. Chris Griffin (AEI).