Lecture series to focus on economic issues in U.S.-China relationship

As part of Oakland University's Woodcock Legacy Seminar Series, a pair of renowned scholars from the China Foreign Affairs University will offer a worldly perspective on change in the United States and East Asia. The lecture will take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, in the Elliot Hall Auditorium.

Dr. Qin Yaqing, executive vice president and professor of international studies, will present "China, the United States and the East Asian Regional Processes." The lecture will focus on current tensions in the region by examining China's deepening economic involvement with East Asia and the refocusing of U.S. security priorities in the Asia Pacific.

Dr. Wei Ling is professor of international studies and director of the East Asian Studies Center at the China Foreign Affairs University. Her talk, "China and East Asian Cooperation," will spotlight how the region has moved from persistent conflict to peaceful cooperation.

"This Woodcock Legacy Seminar event, featuring two distinguished scholars from the China Foreign Affairs University, provides opportunity to highlight and deepen Oakland's continuing partnership with the CFAU," said Dr. Alan Epstein, special instructor of political science.

"The subject matter of the talks is very timely given the rising tension between the United States and China in East Asia over the appropriate means to resolve maritime and territorial claims, and the deepening economic integration of the world's preeminent economic region."

 The event is co-sponsored by the Ambassador Leonard Woodcock Institute and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Drawing on 30 years of student and faculty exchanges, the ALWI promotes bilateral trade, educational exchange and cultural understanding.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Alan Epstein at (248) 370-2358 or epstein@oakland.edu.