Former National Security Council director for China to speak at UB Feb. 12

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Lockport native Paul Haenle, who served as U.S. National Security Council director for China, Taiwan and Mongolian affairs from 2007 to 2009 under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, will visit the University at Buffalo on Feb. 12 to present two talks, both free and open to the public.

The first, “Preparing for an International Career,” will take place from 2-3 p.m. in 280 Park Hall on the UB North Campus.

“The presentation will be geared to students considering an international career, but will certainly be of interest to others as well,” says Bruce Acker, assistant director of UB’s Asian Studies Program, one of the sponsors of Haenle’s visit.  “Haenle will discuss the courses, skills and experiences that will help students launch careers in the international arena and the paths such careers can take. He will also comment on the opportunities and challenges for Americans living and working in China.”

The second presentation, “U.S.-China Relations and China’s International Role,” will be held from 3:30-5 p.m., also in 280 Park Hall.  Haenle will address the legacy of mistrust, the capacity for cooperation between China and the United States and the implications if we were to strengthen collaboration based on common interests or, alternatively, fail to manage our differences in a constructive manner.

For program details, contact Acker at 645-0763 or backer@buffalo.edu.

Haenle, who now serves as director of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy, a joint U.S.-China research center funded by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and based at Tsinghua University in Beijing, will offer a rare, personal glimpse into U.S.-China relations and international affairs from someone with experience at the highest levels of U.S. foreign policymaking.

In addition to his National Security Council responsibilities, Haenle played a key role as the White House representative to the U.S. negotiating team in the “six-party talks” involving the U.S., China, North Korea, South Korea, Japan and Russia in negotiations pertaining to North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

Prior to being appointed director of the National Security Council, Haenle served as executive assistant to U.S. National Security Advisors Condoleezza Rice and Stephen Hadley.

Trained as a China foreign area officer in the U.S. Army, Haenle was twice assigned to the U.S. embassy in Beijing, served as a U.S. Army company commander in Korea and worked in the Pentagon as an advisor on China, Taiwan and Mongolian affairs.

He is a 1984 graduate of Lockport High School and in 2008 received the school’s Distinguished Alumni award. He graduated from Clarkson University and holds a master’s degree in Asian studies from Harvard University.

In addition to the UB Asian Studies Program, Haenle’s visit will be sponsored by the university’s Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Program, Undergraduate Academies, Office of Career Services and Confucius Institute.