Learning more about China

Inter Lake editorial

It is no coincidence that Hillary Clinton's first international trip as Secretary of State took her to Asia the same month that Flathead residents have a chance to attend a lecture series on "China's Place in the World."

The fact is that China's place in the world is a place of growing influence and power, and Americans are making an effort in recent years to learn more about basic workings of Chinese culture and government.

The Flathead Valley in recent months has been fortunate to see a number of steps taken to increase understanding between the world's two greatest superpowers. Most notably, a professor from China has been teaching Mandarin language and Chinese history and culture at Flathead Valley Community College this year, and in April, a large contingent of local people will travel to Beijing and Shanghai on a tour arranged by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce.

Increasing contact between Americans and Chinese is vital as we share a wealth of common interests and have become increasingly dependent on each other as the world's economy has become so interconnected.

Now, FVCC has stepped forward with a timely series of free lectures by Asian experts during its annual honors symposium.

The series starts Thursday with a local speaker, but one who has experience far beyond our borders. Scott Wheeler, retired professor of European history and U.S. military history, will speak on the "Historical Roots of the Chinese World View." Wheeler has written numerous essays and recently completed his fourth book on military history. He is a former senior military analyst to the commanding general of the United States Army, Europe.

The series continues March 5 with a lecture on "Chinese Foreign Policy - China Shakes the World" by Steven Levine, associate director of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at The University of Montana. Levine is a prolific author on Chinese politics, international relations and strategic situations and has a doctorate degree in Chinese politics from Harvard University.

The Mansfield Center's increasing interest in China was recently rewarded by the center being named a Confucious Institute by the Chinese government, giving it a direct link to many of the educational resources in mainland China. Bob Brown, the Confucius Institute educational liaison at the Mansfield Center, will accompany Levine at the March 5 lecture to make a short presentation.

Speakers from the Mansfield Center will also participate in several other lectures. On March 12, retired Brig. Gen. Russ Howard will discuss "China's Strategic Relations - Short Arms/Slow Legs," and on March 19 it will be Terry Weidner talking about "China's Economy - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly."

Also participating will be Major Kwok Chiu of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point discussing "Communist China - The Cultural Revolution" on March 25. The series ends April 2 with a presentation on "China Today" by FVCC's visiting professor, Eric Pei from Liaoning University in Shenyang, China.

All lectures will take place at 7 p.m. in the Arts and Technology Building, but make sure you arrive early as the honors symposiums are always popular, and this one should be even more so than usual.