The politics of reform in China topic at Rice’s Baker Institute March 24

MEDIA ADVISORY

David Ruth
druth@rice.edu
713-348-6327

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

The politics of reform in China topic at Rice’s Baker Institute March 24

HOUSTON – (March 17, 2014) – The politics of reform in China and the country’s global dreams will be the topic of a March 24 discussion at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. The event is co-sponsored by the institute’s China Studies Program and Rice’s Chao Center for Asian Studies.

Recent economic policies by China's leaders suggest Beijing is increasingly concerned about inflation, a slowing of economic growth and increasing local government debt, according to event organizers.

Who:               Carrie Liu Currier, associate professor of political science and director of the Asian Studies Program at Texas Christian University.

Aynne Kokas, fellow in Chinese media at the Baker Institute and sustainability postdoctoral fellow at the Chao Center for Asian Studies.

Steven Lewis, the C.V. Starr Transnational China Fellow at the Baker Institute.

What:             “The Politics of Reform in China: Global Dreams” discussion.

When:             Monday, March 24, 4-5:30 p.m.

Where:           Rice University, Baker Hall, Kelly International Conference Facility, 6100 Main St.

Recent economic policies by China’s leaders suggest Beijing is increasingly concerned about inflation, a slowing of economic growth and increasing local government debt, according to event organizers. In addition, incidences of terrorism, corruption and changes in the one-child policy suggest that domestic politics and economics will preoccupy China at least in the near future, leaving little room to explore what new Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping calls “China’s Dream,” organizers said. At this event, three China experts will assess recent political reforms and economic policies and share their thoughts on China’s interest in — and ability to pursue — global dreams.

Members of the news media who want to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

A live webcast will be available at http://bakerinstitute.org/webcasts.

For a map of Rice University’s campus, go to www.rice.edu/maps/maps.html.

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Related materials:

Baker Institute China Studies Program: http://bakerinstitute.org/china-studies

Chao Center for Asian Studies: https://chaocenter.rice.edu

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Founded in 1993, the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in Houston ranks among the top 20 university-affiliated think tanks globally and top 30 think tanks in the United States. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows and Rice University scholars. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.

About Jeff Falk

Jeff Falk is director of national media relations in Rice University's Office of Public Affairs.