UW Tacoma Provides View of Asia-Pacific

TACOMA, WASH. — If you could somehow see from the United States clear across the Pacific Ocean, one of the best outlooks might be from the University of Washington Tacoma campus.

The Views on the Pacific symposium, on January 15, 2014, is the second in a series of opportunities to gain that trans-oceanic view. Subtitled “Leadership and International Political Perspectives within the Strategic Rebalance,” the panel discussion brings together several leaders who will provide insight into the strategic rebalance of the U.S. to the Asia-Pacific region.

Featured speakers include:

• Lieutenant General Robert Brown, Commander of I Corps, headquartered at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM), the large military base 9 miles south of UW Tacoma;
• Liu Weimin, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States, based in Washington, D.C.;
• University of Washington President Michael Young

The symposium will be moderated by Dr. Reşat Kasaba, director of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington.

Washington has a long history of engagement across Asia-Pacific, but recent developments indicate a growing relevance. Recently, JBLM has been involved in a “Pacific Shift.” I Corps has seen its mission shift from Afghanistan to Japan, China, Indonesia and other regional powers. Renewed attention to Asia-Pacific can be seen in the private sector: Delta Airlines has designated Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as its west coast international hub, with more daily flights from here to Asia than from San Francisco or Los Angeles. Boeing builds parts of its planes in China and expects big increases in orders from the country. Microsoft has a major research lab in Beijing and Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region for Seattle-based Starbucks. Across all three of its campuses, the UW admits more than 5,000 students from Asia-Pacific countries.

The symposium panelists are all leaders in their fields. Attendees will hear first-hand of their experiences building partnerships and their views on the importance of the Asia-Pacific rebalance for their respective roles as leaders of a major university, an emerging global power and a U.S. military headquarters.

LTG Robert Brown, I Corps Commanding General, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, graduated from West Point Military Academy, the University of Virginia and National Defense University. He has held leadership positions throughout the Army. His focus at JBLM is on the Asia-Pacific rebalance, with a strategy of partnering to build prosperity throughout the region, and on expanding partnerships throughout communities local to JBLM.

Liu Weimin, Minister Counselor with the Chinese Embassy, has spent his career in China’s diplomatic corps, with postings in Beijing, Mauritius, Europe, Great Britian and now the United States. Prior to his current posting as a Minister Counselor in the U.S., he was the spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He received his training at China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, and was a visiting scholar at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.

Michael Young, President of the University of Washington, took that position in July of 2011. He is a legal scholar, clerked for William Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court, held administrative positions in the presidency of George H.W. Bush, and served as a member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom from 1998 – 2005, chairing the Commission twice. He has published on topics including the Japanese legal system, international trade law and agreements and human rights.

What: Views on the Pacific - Leadership and International Political Perspectives within the Strategic Rebalance (2nd symposium in a series)

When: Wednesday, January 15, 2014, 4 – 6 p.m.

Where: William Philip Hall, UW Tacoma campus

Registration: tacoma.uw.edu/views