USC and China in the News, March and April 2009

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April 25, 2009: Voice of America

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute,  political scientist Stanley Rosen, postodoctoral scholar Titus Chen, and international relations specialist David Kang  were all interviewed for a story on the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. Dube noted that while the Chinese government describes the act as an intrusion into its domestic affairs, China's leaders are preoccupied with economic development. The act, therefore has not impeded the development of U.S.-China ties. Rosen noted that some worry that after 10 to 15 years, Taiwan might not be so important to the U.S. Chen pointed out that the mention in the act of American concern for the human rights of the people of Taiwan helped to stimulate the development of democracy there. Kang stated that derecognition had not diminished Taiwan's interactions with others. He said it has all of the attributes of a country such as a flag and currency, but is not permitted to call itself a country.

April 24, 2009: KSCI Ch. 18

David Kang and Patrick James of the USC School of International Relations and Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute were featured in a report on a panel discussion of the history, importance, and future of the Taiwan Relations Act. Dube noted that Taiwan's economy and democracy are both strong and that he expects Taiwan to continue to have a good relationship with the U.S. Kang expressed hope that Taiwan's influence on China would exceed China's influence on Taiwan. And James said that the best policy at the moment regarding U.S.-Taiwan relations might be to do nothing. 

April 16, 2009: Wall Street Journal

An article about alleged problems with Chinese-made drywall included a quotation from Nachman Brautbar, a USC toxicologist and professor emeritus. He was asked by the Journal to review the findings of the Florida health department that said the drywall did not pose a serious health risk. Brautbar said that "Sulfur compound gases, even at low levels, have been found to cause respiratory problems" and that more study was needed. Only a tiny fraction of homes built in the United States contain drywall from China, but some members of Congress have expressed concern about the potential problem.

April 16, 2009: Fast Company

Building materials innovations developed by USC engineering professor Yan Xiao was highlighted. The story noted that Xiao had developed plywood from bamboo and that the material has been used to build schoolrooms and other buildings.

April 16, 2009: Voice of America

An article on suicide in China, Hong Kong, and elsewhere included comments from Iris Chi of the USC School of Social Work, along those of Paul S.F. Yip of the University of Hong Kong. Yip heads research at the Suicide Prevention Center in Hong Kong and noted that in 2003 (the occasion of the SARS crisis and an economic downturn) suicide rates among unemployed males increased sixfold. Chi noted that there is a lack of data regarding suicide among Chinese in the U.S., but that since depression rates among Asians in the U.S. and especially among immigrants tend to be higher than in the general population that proactive preventive measures are warranted.

April 13, 2009: Voice of America

The report focused on a USC U.S.-China Institute presentation by Hiroki Takeuchi on how rural Chinese express their grievances. Takeuchi noted that farmers routinely utilize petitions, even though the usually do not get immediate satisfaction. Petitioning is usually a precursor to direct negotiations with officials, which is more likely to produce desired results. Titus Chen, a USC postdoctoral scholar on China, was also quoted in the story, saying that Chinese dispute resolution mechanisms are far from transparent and that “farmers are smart and they make use of formal channels (petition, the court will, as well as the election of village officials), to strengthen their legitimacy, momentum, and organizations, so that they can ultimately negotiate face to face with officials.”

April 9, 2009: Voice of America

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was quoted in an article on speculation regarding who would be appointed to head the American Institute in Taipei. The U.S. and Taiwan do not have formal diplomatic relations. The American Institute represents U.S. interests in Taiwan and handles tasks normally handled by American embassies and consulates. The article noted that the Taipei Times had reported that William Stanton, currently deputy chief of mission in South Korea, would be named as AIT director. Stanton has previously served in the American embassy in Washington. Some suggest Stanton may be "pro-Beijing" and oppose naming him to the post. Dube noted that the role of the lead representative to Taiwan is to effectively communicate American policy, not to make that policy. The representative must also be an effective observer so as to provide Washington with good advice regarding trends in the region

March 9, 2009: China Daily USA

Jerry Lucido, USC vice provost for enrollment policy and management, was quoted about the rise in Chinese students attending USC. USC hosts the highest number of international students of any university in the country, and has seen a 34 percent increase in its Chinese student population in the past two years, reaching 1,015 in 2008, the story noted. “China is the fastest growing area for us,” Lucido said. USC began focusing its recruitment efforts in China several years ago; the university sends college representatives to China every year, the story noted.

March 4, 2009: Chongqing (China) Evening News