China's authoritarian leader Xi Jinping has called the United States "the biggest source of chaos in the present-day world."  As the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, Xi has been critical of America's "strategic pivot" to Asia and hasn't been reluctant to express his displeasure with U-S policy on a number of other issues. 

On Wednesday, November 30th, China Expert Dr. Jim Lenburg will discuss Xi's rise to power and how it has made his name almost synonymous with modern-day China.  It's a topic that should interest anyone concerned about the tense relationship between the world's  two most powerful nations.

This special Evening Forum, sponsored by LAF,  will be from 6:00 to 8:00pm in the Manheimer Room at UNCA's Reuter Center. Admission is free and the public is invited.

Dr. Jim Lenburg is Professor of History Emeritus at Mars Hill University, where he served as Chair of the Humanities Division, Dean of Arts and Science, and Dean of General Studies.  Jim received a bachelor’s degree from Butler University, a master’s degree in history and political science at Bowling Green State University and a Ph.D. from Penn State University. His major in college was Modern American history with a minor in Modern Chinese history. After graduate school he concentrated on U.S./China relations.   He has served as a Visiting Professor of English and American Studies at Jilin University in Changchun, China.  He also has led several study groups to China including one that coincided with the Tiananmen Square uprising in 1989. 

We hope you can join us for this special evening event.