In September 2007, the National Committee kicked off a program for mid-career officers in the United States armed services who have been fast-tracked for top leadership positions. Our partner for the first annual conference was the United States Navy. An impressive array of some of American’s top China specialists engaged in thoughtful and lively discussions during the four-day seminar.

The 2008 program, taking place September 2-5, will be run in conjunction with the United States Air Force. In the future, programs will also be offered to U.S. Army officers and Marines. These programs will be followed by joint seminars for all four branches. Joint trips to China are also in the offing.

Officers participating in the 2008 seminar come from a variety of posts across the globe. Because they do not focus on China in their daily work, the purpose is to provide them with a background on China and brief them on issues not conventionally covered in their military training – issues such as domestic politics, economic development, business and trade, rule of law, growth of civil society, China’s environment and climate change, as well as China’s use of soft power.