Andrew S. Erickson

Andrew S. Erickson, interview, “U.S.-China Relations,” in “China on the World Stage: Weighing the U.S. Response,” Scholars Online, Choices Program, Watson Institute, Brown University, Providence, RI, March 2009.

You can gain access to complete interview footage, as well as to the rest of Choices Program online content, by clicking here and registering for a free account.

The Choices for the 21st Century Education Program is a national education initiative based at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International Studies. The Watson Institute was established in 1986 as a center where scholars and practitioners would collaborate to analyze contemporary global problems and develop initiatives to address them. Choices’ Scholars Online program brings university scholars into high school classrooms. Each video features a top scholar answering a specific question in his or her field of expertise. These videos are designed to supplement Choices printed curricula and are organized to enrich the student readings, lesson plans, and homework assignments provided in Choices printed material.

Through Scholars Online, interviews are available with such individuals as Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former President of Brazil (1995-2003); Lincoln Chafee, former U.S. Senator (RI); Sergei Khrushchev, Senior Fellow, Watson Institute; and Ricardo Lagos, former President of Chile (2000-2006).

Questions covered in Andrew Erickson’s interview (which represents solely his personal views):

• Who are you and what do you do?
• According to the United States, what are the main issues on the U.S.-China agenda?
• What is the Chinese perspective on U.S.-China relations?
• How are the U.S. and Chinese economies dependent on each other?
• Why has China strengthened its military capabilities?
• How has the U.S. government responded to China’s military build-up?
• How do China’s neighbors view Beijing’s growing regional influence?
• How does China see its role in the world?
• Why did China send naval vessels to the Gulf of Aden and why is this significant?
• Why is it important for high school students to learn about China?