I am writing to make you aware of an upcoming conference – “The New China Challenge” – being held in Annapolis, MD at the U.S. Naval Academy on 10 October. We invite you, your students, and fellow faculty to attend. As China has risen in power and prominence, it has emerged as a true competitor to America. Is war between the two nations inevitable? If conflict were to occur, what would it look like? Guided by its state capitalism, China’s challenge goes beyond the military domain.  How should the United States respond to the emerging revisionist power in the Indo-Pacific? These questions and more will be addressed by an incredible line-up of speakers.

The Mandarin speaking former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, will give the morning keynote on “Understanding China’s Rise.”

The morning panel will explore the question, “Are the U.S. and China Destined for War?”, and will feature Harvard Professor Graham Allison, Ph.D., author, Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides Trap?; Dr. Kathleen Hicks, Senior Vice President at CSIS, ADM Scott Swift, USN (Ret.), former Pacific Fleet Commander (2015-2018); and ADM Robert Willard, USN (Ret.), former Commander of Pacific Command (2009-2012).  

August Cole, coauthor of GHOST FLEET: A NOVEL OF THE NEXT WORLD WAR, will discuss how fiction can be used to understand what a future conflict with China might look like. Complimentary lunch will be provided for all attendees.

The afternoon panel, “U.S. vs. China: The Great Power Competition,”moves beyond the problem of potential conflict and considers the complex and competitive dynamics in the U.S.-China relationship.  Leading experts will explore the new China challenge in the political, strategic, and economic domains.

Authors August Cole, Dr. Graham Allison, and Dr. James Holmes will be signing copies of their books during the conference from 12:50 – 1:30 p.m.

Register, view the full conference schedule, and find additional information online. Registration is free and open to the public. Please share with students and colleagues you feel would be interested in this excellent day of programming.

Kate Newmeyer  | Coordinator of Conferences and Special Events

U.S. Naval Institute | knewmeyer@usni.org

291 Wood Road | Annapolis MD 21402

PH 410.295.1035| F 410.295.1084