Dr. French will discuss the relationship between China and Africa in a way that will help us understand the encounter between these two parts of the world. Having worked as an international diplomat and travelled extensively in Africa and China, he will tap into his wealth of experience as he shares the conversations Africans are having about China’s role in their communities and also the conversations the Chinese are having about their involvement in Africa. The question in many people’s minds is “Are the Chinese helping to bring about development that will change lives in Africa?”

About the Speaker: Dr. French was the bureau chief of the New York Times' Shanghai office from 2003-08, as well as a weekly columnist
on global affairs for the International Herald Tribune, as part of a 22-year career as a foreign correspondent.