Alumnus to speak on U.S., China standoff, relations
Lake says U.S. tends to simplify issues

By Julie Ann Matonis
Staff Reporter

Regardless of who is to blame for the recent collision of an American spy plane and a Chinese fighter jet over the South China Sea, the United States and China seem to have agreed to avoid a confrontation with each other, said TCU alumnus Joseph Lake.

Joseph Lake, current director of international affairs for the city of Dallas, will be speaking today at 2 p.m. in Beasley Hall, Room 5.

Lake, current director of international affairs for the city of Dallas, will be speaking at 2 p.m. in Beasley Hall, Room 5 about relations between the United States and China.

“There is a tendency to simplify in the United States,” Lake said. “I want students to better understand the complexities with China and in international relations.”

Mike Xu, assistant professor of Chinese studies, asked Lake to come speak to his Chinese Culture and Civilization class so they could have a better grasp of the current issues between the United States and China. The discussion, titled “Sino-U.S. Standoff and Beyond: Difference in Language and Cultures or More?” is open to the public.

“My intention is to facilitate the process of understanding on the issue of the China-U.S. standoff,” Xu said.

“Misinformation, misunderstanding and miscommunication will not serve world peace too well.”

Xu said relations between the United States and China could affect TCU students, because they are global students.

“TCU is in the process of globalizing its mission, service and curriculum,” Xu said. “Today’s global students will become tomorrow’s global citizens. China and the United States hold almost half of the world’s population and wealth. We can do a lot of good or bad together. The future of some of our students is at stake.”

Lake has served as director of the Office of International Affairs in Dallas since 1997. The office promotes internationalization of Dallas by making sure the city competes in the global economy, enhances its international profile, draws on its multi-ethnic heritage and takes advantage of international opportunities.

He said the Dallas-Fort Worth area relies on international trade as an important part of the economy, with cell phones and semiconductors as two important industries. Poor trade relations with China could have tremendous negative potential in our area, Lake said.

“Globalization is not a choice; it’s a reality,” he said.

Lake said students should realize how international relations and trade could impact their daily lives.

“There is almost a one in three chance of getting a job involving international trade,” he said. “Some jobs that operate on the international level pay 10 to 15 percent more than other comparable positions.”

At age 20, Lake became one of the youngest people to be hired as a Foreign Service Officer. During his 35-year career in the State Department, Lake served as ambassador to Albania and Mongolia, deputy assistant secretary of state for information management, director of the State Department’s crisis management center and advisor to the U.S. delegation to the United Nations. Lake spent 10 years in East Asia, six years in West Africa and five years in the Balkans.

Julie Ann Matonis
j.a.matonis@student.tcu.edu