ROCKPORT — On Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 6 p.m., the Rockport Public Library will host Professor Stephen Harder, of New York University in Shanghai, for a talk entitled “China and the US – The Conflict of the Century?” Harder’s presentation will focus on the question of where America’s interests lie in the deepening conflict with China.

Harder will also explore whether the United States has underestimated China’s strengths and its weaknesses; and if the US has overestimated its own. Additionally, he will broach the highly debatable topic of whether the US and China should (or must?) be enemies. 

Stephen Harder is an international lawyer and professor of practice of law at New York University in Shanghai. There he teaches courses on international law, American law and society, and China’s role in Africa. Prior to teaching, he worked for two international law firms over three decades in New York, Brussels, Warsaw, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. He has negotiated on behalf of, and against, Chinese institutions.

He holds an undergraduate degree in Chinese studies from Princeton, and graduate law and business degrees from Columbia. He is a native of Boston and a resident of Rockport, Maine. Harder has recently returned from a visit to China.

This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information on this and other events from the Rockport Public Library, visit rockportlibrary.net.