PNWNSF Grand Success

Without a doubt, attendees were treated to an overall exceptional afternoon at the annual Pacific Northwest National Security Forum.

Ambassador Darryl Johnson gave a remarkably forthright keynote address, balancing insights from diplomatic experience with knowledgeable evaluations of the competitive and partnering between China and the U.S. over the years.

Most memorable was a concluding comment by BG (ret.) Neal Sealock, former U.S. Defense attache', China. When asked how our current considerations to forgo additional F-22 and missile defense development and production, he replied: (If you're asking me) "where we're going as a nation - I can probably give you the Chinese answer before I can give you ours."

More comments on the PNWNSF will be added to this blog.

U.S. Ambassador to speak at China forum

U.S. Ambassador Darryl Johnson will serve as the keynote speaker during the 2009 Pacific Northwest National Security Forum in Lakewood April 17. He is one of several military, regional and international experts who will discuss the United States' complicated ties to China.

Ambassador Johnson had a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Foreign Service, serving as the first U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania in the early 1990s, and as U.S. Ambassador to Thailand and the Philippines in the 2000s, as well as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for China and Mongolia and the Ambassador-level Director of the American Institute in Taiwan.

“The Pacific Northwest National Security Forum is very fortunate to have Ambassador Darryl Johnson agree to serve as the keynote speaker. Ambassador Johnson continues to bring his wealth of experience and knowledge of China and East Asia to audiences interested in the future of the area, as well as to current projects involving our two nations,” said retired Lt. Col. Doug Adams, program chair for the forum.

Ambassador Johnson grew up in the Puget Sound area, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington-Seattle, with additional studies at the University of Puget Sound, and is currently a lecturer at the UW Jackson School of International Studies.

The forum’s additional panelists include Brig. Gen. Jeff Mathis, deputy commanding general of I Corps and Fort Lewis; retired Brig. Gen. Neal Sealock, former defense attaché to China; Dr. Phillip Saunders, senior research fellow for the National Defense University Institute for National Strategic Studies; and Joe Borich, president of the Washington State China Relations Council.

“We believe the expertise of our panelists in policy, military affairs, and commercial interests will produce relevant and stimulating dialogue among the panelists and the audience,” said Adams.

The panelists will discuss “Competitors and Partners: Prospects for China and the United States.” The event is expected to draw an audience of active duty and reserve military, retired veterans, and civilians including local and regional civic and business leaders.

Cost and registration information are available here.

New Report on China's Military Power

In a studied, low-key manner, the Department of Defense this morning announced its report on the military power of China.

"Pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2000, the Department of Defense released to Congress today the '2009 Military Power of the People’s Republic of China' report."

The entire report can be viewed here.

This current attention to China speaks well of the foresight of the organizers of the annual Pacific Northwest National Security Forum, scheduled for April 17 in Lakewood.

Inside China: Regional forum explores U.S., China relations

Military and regional experts will delve into the complexities of the United States’ relationship with China during the 2009 Pacific Northwest National Security Forum in Lakewood April 17. A diverse panel of diplomatic, military, economic, and academic experts will discuss “Competitors and Partners: Prospects for China and the United States.”

“Thirty years have passed since the United States and the People’s Republic of China normalized relations. In that time, much has changed in China. China is now among the world’s top economies, militaries, and after the Beijing Olympics in 2008, perhaps even cultures. Many national security experts focus on the future competition they see coming between the United States and China. However, Washington State has been a leader in developing partnerships with China in educational and commercial realms,” said retired Lieutenant Colonel Doug Adams, program chair for the forum.

“It is the complex nature of these paradoxical relationships that is of interest and indeed vital relevance to our regional audience,” said Adams.

The event is expected to draw an audience of active duty and reserve military, retired military and civilians including local and regional civic leaders.

The keynote speaker at lunch will focus on the dynamic nature of the evolving relationship between the United States and China. The agenda will also hear from experts and practitioners on a variety of elements associated with the trade imbalance, a growing military presence, hotspots like Taiwan, Tibet, and the Korean peninsula, as well as areas of partnership in diplomacy and commerce.

In 2007, Vice Admiral David C. Nichols, Jr., former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, spoke on asymmetric warfare, addressing the challenges of fourth generation warfare and the path to winning. Previous speakers have included the current Pacific Command commander, Admiral Tim Keating, and current Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz. The forum was created in 1996 by retired military officers with the aim of educating Puget Sound regional audiences on current national security topics.

Cost and registration information is now available on the web.