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NBR Summer Seminar 2021
The China Challenge
June 21–August 13, 2021
China poses an unprecedented challenge for the United States and the rules-based liberal international order. The challenge spans multiple dimensions from human rights, military, economics, and technology to global governance. To better understand China and formulate effective policy, the United States needs a new generation of experts and policymakers who possess a deep understanding of China’s challenge to the United States and how the United States can address this.
To train the next generation of policy leaders, the National Bureau of Asian Research launched the Ellings-Korduba Research Fellowship Program (EKFP) and organized the NBR Summer Seminar 2021: The China Challenge. A group of 12 undergraduate, graduate, and professional participants was selected to examine and assess the peaceful integration of China into an international system acceptable to the United States and other democracies.
The seminar, held in NBR’s Seattle office, ran eight weeks, with three-hour meetings each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Mondays and Wednesdays, there were lectures and discussions led by seminar instructor and NBR president emeritus Richard Ellings and invited guest lecturers. Guest lecturers included military and government leaders, leading academics in the fields of policy, international relations, and foreign area studies, and business entrepreneurs. On Fridays, a teaching assistant led site visits to consulates, military bases, and other policy hubs in the greater Seattle area. The site visits allowed participants to meet with practitioners and officials whose daily work impacts U.S. policy toward Asia.
Participants were given the option to present on their research relating to Asia. At the end of eight weeks, seminar participants also offered their assessments of the China challenge and presented unique policy options to the class.
Director-General Daniel Chen of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle speaks to the Summer Seminar about cross-strait relations in NBR’s Seattle office.
