As Taiwan peacefully manages its differences with mainland China, it seeks dignity within the international system and believes it can play a positive role supporting its close unofficial relationship with the United States.

The 30-year anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act coincides with a period of relative calm in cross-straits relations, and comes at a time when the U.S. is reassessing its policy towards Taiwan.

Though China’s long-term strategic ambitions are unknown and unpredictable, it seems certain that Chinese leadership seeks a preponderant role in Asia. But will Beijing try to reduce or eliminate the United States' influence in the region?

On November 2, the China Program and China Vitae co-sponsored a day-long conference on Chinese leadership, with panels on the tools of leadership analysis, leadership similarities and differences on foreign policy, and leadership unity and conflict on domestic issues. Roderick MacFarquhar of Harvard University gave the keynote address.