Events

The already deeply strained relationship between the United States and China has been particularly rocky in 2023. Bilateral controversies over the Chinese balloon, Taiwan, TikTok, and Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia, among other developments, have exacerbated tensions and prompted speculation by some that the United States and China could be headed for serious conflict.

David Firestein, president, and CEO of the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.- China Relations will speak on the current state of and future prospects for the U.S.- China relationship and answer audience questions about recent developments.

David J. Firestein serves as president and CEO of the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations and is a current, and founding, member of its board of directors.  A decorated former U.S. career diplomat and near-native speaker of the Chinese language, Firestein has specialized in U.S.-China relations for most of his thirty-year professional career.  For the last twelve years, Firestein has worked in the non-profit and academic sectors and has served as a member of the graduate faculty of The University of Texas at Austin, where he taught courses on U.S.-China relations and U.S.-Russia relations.  Firestein currently serves on the boards of directors or advisors of about a dozen mostly U.S. non-profit entities in a variety of fields.  He is the author or co-author of three books on China – including two China-published, Chinese-language bestsellers – and nearly two hundred articles in major U.S. and overseas media publications.  Firestein is a native of Austin, Texas and currently resides in the greater Austin area.

Parking at Neill-Cochran House House Museum: Free in the museum lot, accessible via 23rd between Leon and San Gabriel; additional street parking is available.