China and the Indo-Pacific Seminar

Program Description

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Napoleon once quipped that “China is a sleeping giant, when she wakes, she will shake the world.” After 40 years of rapid industrialization and interaction with the West, China has arisen to become the second-largest economy in the world (in GDP terms), a major technological development hub, and a great military power that is challenging the United States. China is indeed shaking the world.

Despite China’s outward strength and obvious growth as a major, modern power, Beijing faces numerous existential challenges of its own. These challenges include economic uncertainty, demographic decline, and environmental instability, which are often overlooked or misunderstood in the West. In other words, China has grown into a major player—but it is not an infallible giant, nor an inevitable global hegemony.

For the United States to maintain its global position (and domestic security), American policymakers must understand and respond to the tectonic geopolitical changes associated with China’s rapid rise, and the consequent upheaval throughout the Indo-Pacific and the world.

Drawing upon the knowledge and experience of a diverse group of prominent experts on China and the Indo-Pacific, this three-day area studies seminar will offer attendees the opportunity to discuss this critical and fast changing region in an informal off-the-record setting.

This program will examine changes sweeping through China and the Indo-Pacific and will offer attendees the opportunity to discuss with a group of experts the security changes facing the Department of Defense in the coming years.

 

Suggested Seminar Topics

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• Are America and the West in a New Cold War with China, Russia, and Iran?
• China’s Fundamental Challenge to the Global Order
• Getting Old Before It Gets Rich: China’s Demographic Challenge
• Is Xi Jinping Losing His Grip on Power?
• Japan and China: Destined for Confrontation?
• China’s Economic Performance—A Reality Check
• China and Taiwan: Is Ukraine a Harbinger?
• The Chinese-Russian Partnership: An Axis of Global Authoritarianism
• Australia, Indonesia, and France: Indo-Pacific Middle Powers or Big Players?
• China’s Commercial Expansion in Africa
• Will India Seize its Indo-Pacific Advantage?
• The Other Side of the Pacific: China in Central and South America
• The CCP’s Influence in the Pacific Islands Information Environment
• China and Climate Change: Honest Efforts or Lip Service?
• Filling in the Map: A Strategic Tour Through the First Island Chain
• China’s High The Threat: AI, Cyber, Biotech, and Space
• The Korean Peninsula: The Present, the Future, and Echoes of History
• Prioritizing Geopolitical, Technological, and Social Threats in Asia

The above topics may change to address current events and interests of the participants at the time of the seminar.

Moderator

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The Program Moderator will have extensive experience conducting senior-level foreign policy seminars for the Intel Community. The Moderator will have first-hand knowledge and a detailed, up-to-date understanding of the region being studied in each seminar. In addition to the daily morning introduction and afternoon wrap-up, the Moderator will generally make a separate presentation and be available to provide additional presentations as needed. The Moderator will facilitate, when necessary, dialogue between the speakers and participants as well as lead the group discussions and Q&A sessions.

 

Fee

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The fee for each three-day Foreign Policy Seminar is $2,475 per person. The program will feature approximately 12-15 separate presentations. Also included are daily continental breakfasts and working luncheons. The seminar will be held in a private meeting room. An on-site staff person will assist participants as needed and coordinate daily activities.

 

Registration

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The target audience for these seminars are civilians (GS-15 and above) and military (O-6 and above). Others who have a special interest in the subject, need-to-know, or are in key positions may apply. Seminar space is limited to assure participants have ample time for open discussion with presenters. Upon registration, attendees will receive confirmation via email within five days. Cancellations will be accepted in writing up to two weeks prior to each program. After that time, substitutions will be accepted. The Agency will be billed if registration is cancelled after the deadline.

If you have any questions or need further information, please call the office at 703-684-8807.

 

Additional Information

Reporting information will be sent to all participants approximately two weeks prior to the start of the program.

These programs are informal and strictly “off-the-record.” No video, PowerPoint or audio-visual aids are utilized in the presentations.