Happy New Year 恭贺新禧

Friends of East-West Center cordially invites you to the spring 2016 sessions of the

China Seminar

Thursday, 11 February, 2016, 12 noon
Maple Garden Restaurant
909 Isenberg Street, Honolulu

$20.00 for Friends of the East-West Center members, EWC and UH students
$25.00 for non-members
Luncheon served after the talk

US-China Security Cooperation:
“You Really Ought to Give Mil-to-Mil a Try”

Dave Stilwell

Of the many changes that came with the transition from Hu Jintao to Xi Jinping, PLA interest in Mil-Mil exchanges with the US is one of the most notable.  The so-called “ardent suitor” phenomenon – which had the US fairly begging a hard-to-get PLA to engage – reversed itself in November 2012.  Xi’s frequent admonitions to the PLA to “prepare for combat” weren’t orders to increase China’s combat footing – instead he was telling the generals that they should focus on building a professional fighting force.  The only way to accomplish this quickly would be for the PLA to pursue closer contact with their American counterparts.  The US seeks increased interaction to foster mutual understanding and trust as well as to reduce the potential for unintended conflict due to miscalculation.  BrigGen Stilwell will elaborate on the PLA’s very obvious about-face, offer thoughts on the current state of the relationship, and propose areas for greater cooperation.

Brigadier General Dave Stilwell recently retired from the Air Force after 35 years in uniform.  He began his career as a Korean linguist and later majored in Asian Studies and Chinese language as an East West Center participant 1987-1988.  BrigGen Stilwell has flown 2500 hours in the F-4 Phantom II and the F-16 Fighting Falcon with deployments to South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.  He most recently served as the Base and Wing Commander at Misawa Air Base, Japan; as Defense Attaché to the People’s Republic of China 2011-2013; and most recently as the Policy and Strategy advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for all Asia security issues.  He is married to former East West Center staff member Jan Watanabe, and they have two children, Dane and Janae.

To RSVP, please call 944-7111 or email friends@eastwestcenter.org.

Click here to download the event flyer.

China Seminar

Thursday, 12 November, 2015, 12 noon

Maple Garden Restaurant
909 Isenberg Street, Honolulu

$20.00 for Friends of the East-West Center members, EWC and UH students
$25.00 for non-members
Luncheon served after the talk

China’s New Defense White Paper in Today’s Context of Change and Transition

James R. Corcoran

China’s Ministry of National Defense “White Paper” (authoritative report) is exceptional in its bold and authoritative presentation of China’s Military Strategy for both national defense and defense activities in the Asia-Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The May, 2015, White Paper’s Chapter  V “Preparation for Military Struggle” draws focused attention in light of China’s ongoing military initiatives in the South China Sea,  the East China Sea, the Taiwan Straits, and further afield. With the landmark September 3 military parade commemorating the end of WW II, President Xi Jinping’s State visit to Washington D.C., recent military exercises with Russia, and in the midst of China’s economic readjustment and the Tianjin disaster, what does this “White Paper” mean?  Dr. Corcoran’s recent trip in July to present a paper at a conference sponsored by Beijing’s Capital Normal University (首都师范大学) and consultation with academic, military, and government colleagues there, helps to place this topic into perspective.

Jim Corcoran received his Ph.D. in Modern Chinese History and an MA in Asian Studies from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a retired U.S. Army Colonel, Dr. Corcoran is a history professor in the Military Campus Programs and also teaches International (Asian) Studies at Hawai’i Pacific University. He has lived, studied, and served in China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, Bangladesh, and Indonesia; and is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, California (Mandarin Chinese and Bahasa Indonesia).  Over the years, he has researched and written on Asian security issues, papers on China, Asia, and military history, and on issues involving security, strategy, and history of Asia relating to war, conflict resolution and diplomacy.

To RSVP, please call 944-7111 or email friends@eastwestcenter.org.

Click here to download the event flyer.

You are cordially invited to the
FEWC ANNUAL MEETING LUNCHEON
featuring guest speaker:
Maya Soetoro-Ng
Peace as Action: Stories from my East-West Center International Sojourns

Tuesday, November 10, 2015, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Halekulani Hotel, Hau Terrace

Maya Soetoro-Ng will discuss how we can increase the viability of peace building through the actions that we take. She will share stories from her East-West Center visits to Malaysia, Indonesia, Okinawa, and China to illustrate the importance of the power of communication, better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia and the Pacific.

Maya Soetoro-Ng is a life-long educator who specializes in peace and multicultural education. She has taught in public, private, and charter high schools in New York and Hawaii. Currently she is an Assistant Specialist with the Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution. In 2010, Maya also worked as an education specialist with the East-West Center.

Click here to download the event flyer and RSVP form.

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Prior to the program, members will be electing new members of the FEWC Board of Directors and Officers for 2015-2016.

Award presentation will follow business meeting to honor Mrs. Fumiko Halloran with FEWC’s Best Friend Award.

 

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Time:
11:15—Registration
11:30—Annual Meeting
11:45—Award Presentation
12:00 p.m.—Lunch
12:30 p.m.—Program

Cost: $50.00 (includes lunch, gratuity, and parking)

Please RSVP by November 5th
Friends of the East-West Center
1601 East-West Road, Rm. 4072
Honolulu, Hawaii 96848
Phone: 808.944.7691
Fax: 808.944.7376
E-mail: Friends@EastWestCenter.org