Description

French describes the foundation of a resilient Pax Sinica as “a basic proposition that was reasonably consistent: accept our superiority and we will confer upon you political legitimacy…”, a tribute system that dates back as far as the Han dynasty. Through its nine-dash- line diplomacy and beyond, is China is now “increasingly determined to brook no rivals in the region”, including the USA? Join Howard French in an insightful discussion of how, based on its history, China might exercise its growing national power in the decades ahead.

Speaker’s Biography

Howard French reported from Africa for The Washington Post and at The New York Times was bureau chief in Central America and the Caribbean, West and Central Africa; Japan; and China. He has also written for The Atlantic, The New York Review of Books, and Rolling Stone, among other U.S. publications. His work has earned him two Overseas Press Club awards and two Pulitzer Prize nominations. He is the author of A Continent for the Taking: The Tragedy and Hope of Africa and China’s Second Continent: How a Million Migrants Are Building a New Empire in Africa. Mr. French is on the faculty of the Columbia University School of Journalism and lives in New York City.

Randall Hansen: Opening Remarks

Lynette Ong: Chair

Diana Fu: Discussant

Registration

Registration via Munk School. 

Contact person: Mayumi Yamaguchi – asian.institute@utoronto.ca – 416-946-8996