An independently governed island off of China's southern cost, Taiwan is in a unique diplomatic, geographic, and economic position. The People's Republic of China classifies the island as a province, while in Taiwan political leaders continue to operate and move forward as an independent democratic government. How does the U.S. engage diplomatically with Taiwan and how will future relations develop? How does Taiwan position itself in the midst of Chinese and U.S. economic competition?
Join the Vermont Council on World Affairs as we host representatives from the Center for Strategic and International Students and the Taiwanese Economic and Cultural Office in Boston to address these questions and more.
Meet the Panel
Jude Blanchette
Jude Blanchette holds the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Previously, he was engagement director at The Conference Board’s China Center for Economics and Business in Beijing, where he researched China’s political environment with a focus on the workings of the Communist Party of China and its impact on foreign companies and investors. Prior to working at The Conference Board, Blanchette was the assistant director of the 21st Century China Center at the University of California, San Diego.
Director General Jonathan Sun
Joining this panel will be the Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Boston. Director General Sun has held a number of diplomatic positions for the Taiwanese government including positions in the Department of International Organizations, Department of North American Affairs, the TECO in New York, and now the TECO in Boston. TECO Boston represents the interests of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in New England. Its service areas cover five New England states: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Sarwar Kashmeri | Moderator
Sarwar Kashmeri is an international relations specialist, author, and commentator, noted for his expertise on U.S. global strategy and national security. He speaks frequently before business, foreign policy and military audiences.
“China’s Grand Strategy: Weaving a New Silk Road to Global Primacy,” (Praeger), his third book, was published in July 2019. It is a centennial book of the Foreign Policy Association where Sarwar is a Fellow. He is also an Applied Research Fellow of the Peace and War Center of Norwich University, Vermont, USA.