US-China Relations: What to Expect in the Post-Covid-19 World

Mr Randall Schriver (Chairman of the Board of the Project 2049 Institute)

Topic

Well prior to the pandemic, the United States through its strategic documents such as the National Security Strategy (NSS) and the National Defense Strategy (NDS) had explicitly characterised the PRC as a "strategic competitor." In trying to faithfully implement the NSS and the NDS and move to a more competitive posture, the U.S. has made a number of significant policy adjustments including on trade, defence and diplomacy. Beijing has also made adjustments resulting in what some have deemed a new type of Cold War. The impact of COVID-19 will either act as an accelerant to this trajectory, or cause reflection and attempts to strengthen the more cooperative aspects of U.S.-China relations to position us better to deal with this once-in-a-century type challenge. Mr Schriver will discuss his perspective on these issues and how the nascent great power competition will evolve.

Biography

Mr Randall Schriver is the Chairman of the Board of the Project 2049 Institute and a strategic advisor to Pacific Solutions LLC. He is also a lecturer for Stanford University’s “Stanford-in-Washington” program, is on the Board of Advisors to the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, and Board of Directors of the US-Taiwan Business Council.

Just prior, he served for two years as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for IndoPacific Security Affairs, where he led a team of nearly one hundred professionals and was the principle advisor to the Secretary of Defense on matters related to the Indo-Pacific region.  Previously, Mr. Schriver served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, with responsibility for China, Taiwan, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. From 2001 to 2003, he served as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary of State. From 1994 to 1998, he worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, including as the senior official responsible for U.S. bilateral relations with the People's Liberation Army and the bilateral security and military relationships with Taiwan.

Mr Schriver received a BA degree in history from Williams College, and has a MA degree from Harvard University. He has won numerous military and civilian awards from the U.S. government and was recently presented with the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service (highest civilian award). While at the State Department he was presented with the Order of the Propitious Clouds by the President of Taiwan for service promoting U.S.-Taiwan relations.

Organiser: SOAS China Institute

Contact email: sci@soas.ac.uk

Contact Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 4823