Forum on “China’s Changing Foreign Policy” Held on March 20, 2002

On March 20 the China Research Center sponsored, together with the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, a program examining China’s changing decision-making processes in foreign and security policy. Three nationally prominent China specialists spoke and answered questions during a panel held on the campus of Georgia Tech. Dr. Margaret Pearson of the University of Maryland talked about China’s decision to join the World Trade Organization.

Dr. Michael Swaine of the Carnegie Institute for International Peace spoke on China’s changing decision-making regarding Taiwan. Dr. Joseph Fewsmith of Boston University spoke on the changing role of public opinion in China’s decision making on foreign policy. The three speakers’ presentations were based on extensive research undertaken over the last several years under an effort launched and coordinated by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.

The National Committee was founded in 1966 to promote normal relations and mutual understanding between the United States and China. Dr. Mary Brown Bullock, President of Agnes Scott, is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Committee, as well as chair of the Advisory Board of the China Research Center. The National Committee’s web address is www.ncuscr.org The March 20 session was videotaped by Global Fax and should soon be available through their website at www.globalatlanta.com.

Atlanta area organizations sponsoring and supporting the March 20 panel included Agnes Scott College, the Carter Center China Village Elections Project, Dalton State College, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, and the University of Georgia. The Southern Center for International Studies, and the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) of Georgia Tech, also sponsored the event. The primary coordinator for the event was the Center for Strategy, Technology, and Policy at Georgia Tech. About 100 people, mostly from the Atlanta-area business community, attended the event. The President of the National Committee, Mr. John Holden, attended and briefed the session on the work of the National Committee. Before the panel Mr. Holden met for a “brown bag session” with Atlanta-area academic China specialists.