Media gallery

(l-r) Don Gordon, Kate Kaup, Brantly Womack, David Finkelstein, Mayor Knox White,
Minister Xie Feng, guest, Ni Shixiong, Wang Dan, Philip Lin and David Shi

China: Series on the World’s Next Great Power

“China’s Global Rise:  International Relations in an Era of Change”

Part Four of a Five-Part Series
A Two-Day Conference
Younts Conference Center at Furman
April 7-8, 2009

China’s international behavior at times can mystify even the most astute political observers. Many of its policies seem contradictory until the rationale behind the diplomatic maneuvers is explored. As China struggles to become a true superpower and to play a more dominant role in Asia, how should the United States respond? Does the rise of China necessarily mean the fall of American power? This National Conference assessed China’s changing role in the global community, and its impact on the United States and the global order.

To view video footage, click here.

Conference Agenda:

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

  • Opening Keynote Address: “Priorities, Opportunities, and Challenges in China’s Foreign Policy” by Minister Xie Feng, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

  • Panel I: “US-China Relations” moderated by Brantly Womack with panelists Ni Shixiong and Hank Levine
  • Panel II: “China’s International Relations and Security Policy” moderated by Hank Levine with panelists David Finkelstein, Shelley Rigger, and Brantly Womack
  • Concluding Keynote Address: “China and United States Foreign Policy” by Ambassador Stapleton Roy, former U.S. ambassador to China

All of the speakers have extensive experience working in both the United States and in China. For complete biographical information about the forum participants and the schedule of events, click here.

This National Conference was presented by the Riley Institute, the Furman University Asian Studies Department, and the National Committee on US-China Relations: Public Intellectuals Program. It was made possible through the generous support of the Beth and Ravenel B. Curry Foundation. Other sponsors that made this conference possible are Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A., the City of Greenville, and the Westin Poinsett Hotel.

Press Coverage

Furman’s press release; a Greenville News article penned by Dr. Kate Kaup;  Columbia Regional Business Report; and a Greenville News article about Minister Xie Feng’s visit with the media.

More information on the China’s Global Rise Series