Professor and Chair of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Professor and Chair of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus, an Asia expert at the University of Mary Washington, said it was critical to show a “united front” over Taiwan. “Not only will China be listening to hear any such statement, but so will U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific who need to be reassured of U.S. commitment to the region,” she said. https://on.ft.com/3e13ApD

Professor and Chairman of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Elizabeth Larus, Chairman of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs, commented in the Financial Times that President Biden had come out with a “firmer posture” on China than most experts had expected but had also benefited from Trump’s precedent. She commented that “Some of the heavy lifting on Taiwan has already been done for him.”
https://www.ft.com/content/05d67774-fdf7-41ae-b17e-a8f2fe8e9f6f
https://oltnews.com/u-s-facilitates-diplomats-meeting-with-taiwanese-officials

Professor Larus also commented April 3 on Vietnam TV News on prospects for strengthening UN cooperation with regional organizations in peacemaking efforts, an item on the agenda as Vietnam begins official duties as (rotating) president of the UN Security Council. Professor Larus’ comments begin at 17 min into the program at https://vnews.gov.vn/video/the-gioi-360-do-ngay-03-4-2021-207815.htm

Professor and Chairman of the Department of Political Science Elizabeth Freund Larus.

In an interview with Vietnam News on the eve of the Alaska meeting between U.S. and Chinese officials, PSIA Professor Elizabeth Larus indicated that the U.S. and China, as influential countries, need to talk face-to-face. Professor Larus indicated that the timing of the meeting was significant, following China’s “Two Sessions” and the Blinken/Austin trips to allies South Korea and Japan. Dr. Larus anticipated no breakthroughs on U.S.-China relations, and that the U.S. and Chinese media would differ in their accounts of the meeting. https://baotintuc.vn/the-gioi/gioi-chuyen-gia-my-danh-gia-y-nghia-tich-cuc-cua-doi-thoai-cap-cao-mytrung-20210320200349424.htm (English translation available.)

Dr. Larus also commented on the sparks that flew between the U.S. and China at their March 17 Alaska meeting on In Focus South Asia. She indicated that Washington was likely surprised by the vehemence with which China responded to U.S. criticisms of Beijing’s actions on a number of hot button issues. Professor Larus’s comments begin at six minutes into the program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKIJFQeL2mI

Professor and Chairman of the Department of Political Science Elizabeth Freund Larus.

PSIA Professor and Chairman Elizabeth Freund Larus commented in Courthouse news that negative rhetoric coming out of the Trump White House was not the only factor in American’s increasing negative views of China. She indicated that Americans’ once overly optimistic views of China have been trending downward amidst concerns over China’s record on politics, economics, and values. Read the article at https://www.courthousenews.com/enemy-perception-of-china-has-risen-in-america/