The twentieth annual National Defense University Pacific Symposium, co-sponsored by the United States Pacific Command in cooperation with the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, was held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu Hawaii on March 1 and 2, 1999. The symposium, titled "U.S. Engagement Policy in a Changing Asia: A Time for Reassessment?," analyzed the nations of Asia in light of current and projected conditions precipitated by the financial crisis, and consider the impact on future United States’ engagement policy in the region. The symposium's objectives were threefold:
(1)  To assess the current and projected social, economic and leadership positions of Japan, Korea, China, and the countries in South East Asia and the South Asian Region, (2)  To Discuss external relationships of the countries in this region and, (3) To considered the impact of these assessments on the current United States' policy of engagement.  Report on the proceedings of the 20th Annual National Defense University Pacific Symposium

                                                                               AGENDA

0815-0915 KEYNOTE: The American Response to a Changing Asia; Dr. Robert A. Scalapino; Professor Emeritus, Institute of East Asian Studies, University of California, Berkeley

- A Representative from China: What is the current and projected near-term status of the social, economic and political situation in China? i.e. how has the economic crisis impacted the internal quality of life, business environment (work place), support of government, etc. in China? What is the impact of the economic crisis on China’s strategic objectives, posture, external relationships, etc? The Impact of Asian Financial Crisis on China; Professor Yin Xiangshuo;  Vice Chairman, Department of World Economy, Fudan University, Shanghai

- A Representative from Australia: What does the future hold for China? Explain why your prediction is upbeat, downbeat, or more of the same? Will China return to the social and economic levels that it was at prior to the financial crisis? If so, when and with what cautions? If not, why not? Discuss China’s future relationships with Japan and Korea in particular and with other nations in the region in general. Can the U.S. help/influence? If so, in what respects, where and how? If not, why not? China: An Opinion from Australia;  Dr. Richard Rigby; Assistant Secretary, North Asia Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra

- A Representative from Indonesia: What is the current and projected near-term status of the social, economic and political situation in South East Asia? i.e. how has the economic crisis impacted the internal quality of life, business environment (work place), support of government, etc. in the region? What is the impact of the economic crisis on the countries of South East Asia’s strategic objectives, posture, external relationships, etc. Indonesia's Tortuous Road To Reform;   Mr. Aristides Katoppo; Publisher, Pt Pustaka Sinar Harapan, Jakarta

- A Representative from Singapore: What does the future hold for South East Asia? Explain why your prediction is upbeat, downbeat, or more of the same? Will the region return to the social and economic levels that it was at prior to the financial crisis? Give specific examples from selected countries. If so, when and with what cautions? If not, why not? Can the U.S. help? And if so, how? The Future of the Southeast Asian Strategic Environment;  Ambassador S.R. Nathan; Director, Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

- A Representative from the United States: As an outsider looking in, what future relationships do you predict South East Asia will have with the United States and with other nations in the region? (political, military and socio-economic).? What specific role do you see for the United States to play? Policy Without Strategy;   Dr. Marvin C. Ott; Professor of National Security Policy, National War College, National Defense University

- A Representative from India: What is the current and projected near-term status of the social, economic and political situation in India? i.e. how has the economic crisis impacted the internal quality of life, business environment (work place), support of government, etc. in India? What is the impact of the economic crisis on India’s strategic objectives, posture, external relationships, etc ? How has the recent nuclear position changed the relationships between South Asia countries? India's   Political, Socioeconomic & Strategic Status in the Light of it Having Opted to go Overtly Nuclear & the Impact of the Asian Economic Crisis;  Brigadier Vijai K. Nair, Executive Director, Forum For Strategic Security Studies, New Delhi

- A Representative from Malaysia: What does the future hold for South Asia in light of the recent financial crisis? Explain why your prediction is upbeat, downbeat, or more of the same? Will India return to the social and economic levels that it was at prior to the financial crisis? If so, when and with what cautions? If not, why not? Can the U.S. help? And if so, how? South Asia and U.S. Security Policy; Professor K.S. Nathan;  Professor of International Relations, Department of History, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur

- A Representative from the United States: As an outsider looking in, what future relationships do you predict India will have with other nations in the Asia-Pacific region? (political, military and socio-economic). How has the recent nuclear stand impacted these relationships? What role do you see for the United States to play?    Indian Foreign Policy in the Asia-Pacific; Dr. Joseph E. Goldberg;  Professor of Political Science, Director of Research and Publications , Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University

SPEAKER: The Asian Economic Crisis:  Future Security Implications;  Professor Paul Dibb; Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University, Canberra

430-1630 PANEL VI: "A Look to the Future" Each speaker should answer questions similar to the following:

• What do you predict the overall impact of the assessments described in the previous panels will be on your country’s/region’s future foreign and national security policy in the Asia-Pacific region. How do you see the future United States role?
• Considering the internal situations, external perceptions and projected relationships described in the previous panels, as a world power, what relationship do you predict will exist between your country/region and the various Asia-Pacific countries discussed in this symposium?
• From the perspective of the country/region you represent, discuss selected nations of Asia in light of current and projected conditions precipitated by the financial crisis, and predict the impact on United States’ Engagement Policy in the Asia-Pacific Region. Should the United States reassess the tenets of its current Engagement Policy? If so, how? If not, why not?

Report on the proceedings of the 20th Annual National Defense University Pacific Symposium

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