3. Topic: Attending US/PRC leadership engagements Discussion: The face-to-face meetings between the SECNAV and the PRC leadership were noteworthy learning experiences. In particular, I it immensely educational to observe the tacit and explicit levels of communication between the US and the PRC. Listening to seasoned US military leaders discuss issues of past and present challenges gave me a great insight into the intricacies of dealing with the Chinese leadership. Recommendation: There is no substitute for the depth of understanding a Marine FAO/RAO gains from observing how diplomacy is crafted between senior US leaders and their host country. It is one thing to learn about diplomacy through a graduate-level education and through self-study, but quite a different thing to see how it is actually shaped in person. Promote Marine FAO/RAO attendance in US/host country leadership engagements before, during, and after the FAO’s ICT; it greatly benefits the development and sustainment of an effective Marine FAO/RAO corps across the Operating Forces. 4. Agenda: 26 Nov - Arrived Beijing Capital International Airport (ZBAA) – Met by RADM Zhang Jianchang, DCOS PLA Navy – 27 Nov Met with Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai – – 27 Nov Official call with Minister of National Defense – – General Liang Guanglie 27 Nov Official call with Commander, PLA Navy Admiral Wu – – Shengli 28 Nov Meeting with U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke – 29 Nov Departed Beijing for Ningbo, China – 29 Nov Visit Peace Ark Hospital Ship and JiangKai II-class FFG – 29 Nov Visit Yuan-class SSP – A. M. VOYNE
3. Topic: Attending US/PRC leadership engagements Discussion: The face-to-face meetings between the SECNAV and the PRC leadership were noteworthy learning experiences. In particular, I it immensely educational to observe the tacit and explicit levels of communication between the US and the PRC. Listening to seasoned US military leaders discuss issues of past and present challenges gave me a great insight into the intricacies of dealing with the Chinese leadership. Recommendation: There is no substitute for the depth of understanding a Marine FAO/RAO gains from observing how diplomacy is crafted between senior US leaders and their host country. It is one thing to learn about diplomacy through a graduate-level education and through self-study, but quite a different thing to see how it is actually shaped in person. Promote Marine FAO/RAO attendance in US/host country leadership engagements before, during, and after the FAO’s ICT; it greatly benefits the development and sustainment of an effective Marine FAO/RAO corps across the Operating Forces. 4. Agenda: 26 Nov - Arrived Beijing Capital International Airport (ZBAA) – Met by RADM Zhang Jianchang, DCOS – PLA Navy 27 Nov – Met with Vice Foreign Minister – Cui Tiankai 27 Nov – Official call with Minister of National Defense – General Liang Guanglie 27 Nov – Official call with Commander, PLA Navy – Admiral Wu Shengli 28 Nov – Meeting with U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke 29 Nov – Departed Beijing for Ningbo, China 29 Nov – Visit Peace Ark Hospital Ship and JiangKai II-class FFG 29 Nov – Visit Yuan-class SSP A. M. VOYNE