Asian Studies Program Hosts Nov. 10 China Town Hall Virtual Discussion and National Webcast

The Asian Studies Program in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences will host a local town-hall style discussion with Neil Thomas, senior research associate at Paulson Institute, followed by a national webcast with investor, philanthropist, and New York Times best-selling author Ray Dalio on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Each year, the China Town Hall, presented by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, provides Americans with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the opportunities and challenges in current relations between the two countries.

This year's virtual event begins with the local discussion from 5-6 p.m. with Thomas and Ka Zeng, director of the U of A's Asian Studies Program and professor of political science. Join the event on Zoom.

Afterward, the webcast of the 14th annual CHINA Town Hall keynote presentation will feature Dalio and lasts from 6-7 p.m. Join the event livestream.

Dalio will talk about the key issues, risks, and opportunities in the Sino-American relationship. His keynote address also serves as the launch of a week of additional events on the most critical topics facing both countries and the global community in the 21st century.

Register for additional 2020 CHINA Town Hall events online.

This unique series will provide access to experts and opportunities for insightful discussion on how America will navigate relations with China in an increasingly complex global context. 

About Neil Thomas: Thomas is a senior research associate at MacroPolo, the in-house think tank of the Paulson Institute in Chicago, where he works on Chinese politics, U.S.-China relations, and international political economy. Thomas' research has been featured in publications including The Economist, The Financial Times, and The Wall Street Journal, and he teaches a course on "How China is Changing the World" at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy. Thomas holds a master's degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Australia and has previously studied in China at Tsinghua University in Beijing and Zhejiang University in Hangzhou.

About Ray Dalio: Dalio is the founder, co-chief investment officer, and co-chairman of Bridgewater Associates, LP, the largest hedge fund in the world. Dalio and Bridgewater have been deeply involved in the evolution of the Chinese economy and markets for 36 years. His earliest visit was in 1984 as a guest of CITIC when the company invited Dalio to teach them how financial markets work and to help them develop their financial system. Dalio and Bridgewater began managing investments and providing advice to China's top investment institutions and senior policy makers; and in 2003 began trading in Chinese markets. Over the past year and a half, Bridgewater has launched two All Weather China strategies - one for non-Chinese institutional investors to gain exposure to Chinese assets, and the other for domestic investors in China. Bridgewater maintains offices in Beijing and Shanghai.

About the CHINA Town Hall: The CHINA Town Hall connects leading China experts with Americans around the country for a national conversation on the implications of China's rise on U.S.-China relations and its impact on our towns, states, and nation. The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations partners with a range of institutions and community groups, colleges and universities, trade and business associations, and world affairs councils to bring this important national conversation to local communities around America for the 14th consecutive year.

More information about the U of A's Asian Studies Program and these events can be found at www.facebook.com/uaaist.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Ka Zeng at kzeng@uark.edu.