PRC Competition in the Pacific

featuring
Jarod Baker
Co-founder of Pacific Economics
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm HST
Live via Zoom

Speaker’s summary:
In times of competition, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is using means below military threshold to gain influence in the Pacific and globally. I will discuss the whole-of-society actors the PRC uses in the Pacific and some of the ways they are using their roles to gain PRC State priorities.

Speaker’s Bio:
Jarod Baker is a co-founder of Pacific Economics. Jarod has focused on the Pacific region since 1998 specializing in market research, competitive intelligence, investment solutions, and management strategy. Previously, Jarod assisted in opening the KPMG advisory office in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. His initiatives include establishing the Economic Advantage portfolio focused on the Pacific, conducting economic risk identification and mitigation strategies, and developing strategic frameworks for organizations investing and operating in the Pacific region

Jarod has spent his career focusing on Chinese economics, security, and international business working for the Department of Defense, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and various management consulting firms. His experience brings fresh perspective on security, development, and investment strategies.

Jarod holds an MBA from the Darden School of Business (University of Virginia); a master’s in International Policy and Practice from the Elliott School of International Affairs (The George Washington University); a bachelor’s degree in International Economics and Asian Studies; and a certificate in Korean from the Defense Language Institute. 

The China Seminar was founded by Dr. Daniel W.Y. Kwok 45 years ago. Under his guidance, it became a signature program of the Friends of the East-West Center (FEWC) in 2009. The program provides an informal venue for China experts, such as scholars, diplomats, and journalists, to present talks on aspects of China that interest the community and members of the Friends. Topics include politics, economics, social issues, history, culture, food, arts, and many other subjects. Though Dr. Kwok has recently retired from his involvement with the program, the FEWC and the East-West Center remain committed to continuing this important program.

China’s Economic Challenges are Multiplying:
And that’s not good for anyone

Thursday, September 14, 2023
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm HST
Live via Zoom

Speaker’s summary:
When Xi Jinping abruptly ended his draconian Zero Covid lockdown late last year, most experts predicted the Chinese economy would come roaring back. Instead, it has stagnated, complicating existing challenges such as a struggling real estate sector and soaring youth unemployment. Now there are signs of deflation and a debt overhang reminiscent of what Japan experienced 30 years ago at the beginning of its “Lost Decades.” Can China avoid that fate, and if not, what are implications for Taiwan and the rest of the world?

Speaker’s Bio:
Richard Hornik is an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the East-West Center.  During his 40-year career in journalism he served as Executive Editor of AsiaWeek, News Service Director of TIME magazine, and TIME’s Bureau Chief in Warsaw, Boston, Beijing and Hong Kong. He co-authored Massacre in Beijing: China’s Struggle for Democracy, and has written on China for Foreign Affairs, Fortune, The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. He also served as Interim Editor of the Harvard Business Review. Mr. Hornik was a Lecturer at Stony Brook University from 2007-19, where he helped develop and propagate its innovative News Literacy curriculum now used in over 40 universities worldwide. He was a Visiting Lecturer at Hong Kong University in 2012 and at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2015, where he was also the inaugural Daniel K. Inouye Visiting Scholar. 

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The views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect East-West Center nor Friends of the East-West Center policies or position.

The China Seminar was founded by Dr. Daniel W.Y. Kwok 45 years ago. Under his guidance, it became a signature program of the Friends of the East-West Center (FEWC) in 2009. The program provides an informal venue for China experts, such as scholars, diplomats, and journalists, to present talks on aspects of China that interest the community and members of the Friends. Topics include politics, economics, social issues, history, culture, food, arts, and many other subjects. Though Dr. Kwok has recently retired from his involvement with the program, the FEWC and the East-West Center remain committed to continuing this important program.

Give your gear another season and donate it for a good reason!
Saturday, July 8th
9:00 am – 12:00pm
East-West Center, Burns Hall 

Friends of the East-West Center will be collecting sports equipment for the East-West Center Participants Association. Gently used equipment can be brought to the front of the East-West Center at 1601 East-West Road and members of the Friends will be there to receive your donation.

• Soccer balls
• Basketballs
• Tennis racquets and balls
• Yoga mats and blocks
• Weights, stretch bands, other exercise equipment.
• Volleyball equipment
• Table Tennis paddles
• Camping equipment (tents, cooking utensils, etc.)

The  Friends will also accept donations of kitchen equipment, utensils, and dishware for use by the East-West Center students. With these donations, the East-West Center Participant Association (EWCPA) will host a yard-sale exclusively for new arrivals charging a small amount for goods so that all may acquire a few needed items. Moreover, the funds generated from the sale will directly support the various student led activities organized by the EWCPA such as their Concert on the Lawn and International Potluck.

• Utensils, spatulas, spoons, whisks
• Knives
• Tongs
• Baking sheets
• Measuring cups, mixing bowls
• Frying pan and pots
• Water bottles
• Plates, glasses, mugs
• Tupperware/ storage containers
• Fans
• Rice cookers, blenders
• Coffee pots, kettles
• Clothing irons/steamers
• Extension cords
• Reusable shopping bags (not for sale but to bring items home)

The Friends can provide you with documentation to use your donation as a tax-deductible charitable donation.