The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies announced on Oct. 12 the appointment of J. Stapleton Roy, former U.S. ambassador to China, as the new chairman of the Council for the Hopkins-Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies.

As chairman, Roy will lead the 25-member council that plays a major role in providing advice and guidance on the operation, support and overall development of the center. He succeeds Burton Levin, former U.S. ambassador to Burma, who will now serve as the council's chairman emeritus, and the late Arthur Hummel, former U.S. ambassador to China. Former President George H.W. Bush remains the council's honorary chairman.

"We are honored to have such a distinguished public servant as Ambassador Roy to chair the Hopkins-Nanjing Council and will value his advice and support as we continue to build this unique and valued institution," said Stephen Szabo, SAIS interim dean.

Established in 1986 and located in Nanjing, China, the center is an educational joint venture between Johns Hopkins and Nanjing University, providing approximately 100 students from the United States and other English-speaking countries and China the unique opportunity to live and study together. SAIS administers the center's activities on behalf of JHU.

Roy, who was born in Nanjing to American missionary parents, retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in January 2001 after a distinguished 45-year career. When the United States established diplomatic relations with China in 1979, he became deputy chief of mission, later serving in that capacity in Thailand. Roy went on to become ambassador to Singapore (1984-86), China (1991-95) and Indonesia (1996-99). Most recently, he was assistant secretary of state for intelligence and research. Roy is now managing director of Kissinger Associates Inc.

"Ambassador Roy's lifelong relationship with China, both personally and professionally, promises significant leadership to the Hopkins-Nanjing Council as we grow to the future," said Daniel Wright, the center's executive director. "We are honored by Ambassador Roy's appointment."

David M. Lampton, director of the SAIS China Studies Program and head of the Nanjing Center's Institute for International Research Council, added, "All of us at the Nanjing Center and Johns Hopkins University are lucky to be joined in our efforts by one of America's most dedicated public servants and most astute observers of China and Sino-American relations."
--Felisa Neuringer