APPLETON, WIS. — A Taiwanese initiative to join the United Nations that caused China to declare a “period of high danger” and drew criticism from the United States could have serious foreign policy ramifications says a leading scholar on relations between the three countries.
Richard Bush, a senior fellow and director of the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., presents “The Taiwan Strait Issue and U.S.-China Relations” in the final installment of Lawrence University’s 2008 Povolny International Studies Lecture Series, Monday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. in Science Hall Room 102. The event is free and open to the public.
A 1969 Lawrence graduate, Bush will examine the “Taiwan muddle,” including implications of a proposed referendum on the question of whether the island should become a member of the United Nations. The current plan calls for the referendum to be held in connection with Taiwan’s March 22 presidential election. He also will discuss the causes of political tensions between China and Taiwan despite their growing economic cooperation, among them poor communication, a conflict of goals and a mix of politics and external policies.
During a distinguished public service career spanning more than 20 years, Bush spent 1997-2002 as the chairman and managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan and also served on the House Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He is the author of three books, including 2007’s “A War Like No Other: The Truth About China’s Challenge to America.”
In addition to a bachelor’s degree in political science from Lawrence, Bush earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Columbia University. In June 1998, he was awarded the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal.
The “U.S.-China Relations” lecture series is sponsored by the Mojmir Povolny Lectureship in International Studies. Named in honor of long-time Lawrence government professor Mojmir Povolny, the lectureship promotes interest and discussion on issues of moral significance and ethical dimensions.
