Roundtable will discuss Chinese balloon, what it means for U.S.-China relations

The Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy will be hosting another roundtable discussion Friday, Feb. 10, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., in O’Hare Academic Building, Room 121. A free lunch will be provided. Salve Regina University staff, students and faculty are welcome to participate. 

The Department of Defense announced on Feb. 2 that a Chinese balloon was observed over the state of Montana and was shot down off the Atlantic coast on Feb. 4 by a U.S fighter jet. The ballon has become a sensation on TikTok and was featured on a Saturday Night Live sketch — but for many, the topic of international balloons can seem sinister and can sometimes be difficult to understand. What is the big deal, really? 

Join the roundtable to discuss possible explanations of the balloon’s presence in the U.S, pose questions as to how this affects U.S-China relations, and look to the future to discuss how the Biden administration’s response will play out down the road. 

Roundtable discussions are open to students, faculty and staff at Salve Regina. The Pell Center will provide a free lunch. Space is limited. Please RSVP to pellcenter@salve.edu.