MEDIA ADVISORY

ANN ARBOR— U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is traveling to China amid reported negotiations about securing American asylum for a blind Chinese legal activist who escaped house arrest and is in the protection of U.S. diplomats.

The following University of Michigan experts can discuss the trip and U.S.-China relations:

Mary Gallagher, director of U-M’s Center for Chinese Studies, can discuss the U.S.-China relationship. She is an associate professor of political science whose research areas are Chinese politics; comparative politics of transitional and developing states; law and society. She can be reached at (734) 615-9154 or metg@umich.edu. More about Gallagher: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/polisci/people/ci.gallaghermary_ci.detail 

Linda Y.C. Lim, professor of strategy at the Ross School of Business, can take questions about the U.S.-China economic and trade relationship. Her research focuses on the influence of domestic politics, economic policy and culture on business structure, strategy and operations. She can be reached at (734) 763-0290 or lylim@umich.edu. More about Lim: http://www.bus.umich.edu/FacultyBios/FacultyBio.asp?id=000119685

John Ciorciari, assistant professor at the Ford School of Public Policy, can address China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region. His current research focuses primarily on Asia and examines foreign policy strategies, human rights and the reform of international economic institutions. He can be reached at (734) 615-6947 or johncior@umich.edu. More about Ciorciari: http://fordschool.umich.edu/faculty/John_Ciorciari

Philip Potter, assistant professor at the Ford School of Public Policy, can discuss security and defense issues. His current research projects explore the relationship between interdependence and international conflict; the impact of public opinion and media on foreign policy; and the role of networks in transnational terrorism. He can be reached at (734) 615-6905 or pbkp@umich.edu. More about Potter: http://fordschool.umich.edu/faculty/Philip_Potter