FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas World Trade Center will join in a virtual, national town hall meeting about the opportunities and challenges posed by China’s growing economic and military power, and the roll these issues will play in the 2008 elections.

The event will be at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 17 at the Arkansas World Trade Center, Suite 400, 3300 Market St., Rogers, Ark.

Northwest Arkansas is one of 30 regions and cities that will be linked by teleconference to the presentation from the National Committee on United States-China Relations. Norman J. Ornstein, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, will present a 15-minute overview, then answer questions that have been e-mailed by audience members throughout the country. The National Committee president, Steve Orlins, will moderate this portion of the program.

This program will also feature Amy Celico, managing director of Stonebridge China, who will continue the discussion at the Arkansas World Trade Center. Celico brings eight years of U.S. government experience working on China issues in the development and implementation of tailored strategies to assist clients in realizing their specific business objectives in China. She was also involved in coordinating interagency preparation for bilateral discussions with China through the Strategic Economic Dialogue and U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade. She will take questions from the local audience.

Admission to the China Town Hall is free for members of the Arkansas World Trade Center and $15 for non-members. Seating is limited. To make a reservation, contact Denise Thomas at (479) 418-4821 or dthomas@arwtc.org.