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Media Credit: Brandon Chapple New York Times correspondent David Sanger talks with Patty Simon, the late Paul Simon's widow, after giving a speech Wednesday night in the Lesar Law Building. Sanger, who has been writing for the Times for 25 years, came to SIUC to lecture on the rise of America's competitors in the East, China, Japan and India.

The United States is facing serious competition for its title as a world power, a New York Times journalist said Wednesday.

About 225 people filled the seats in the SIU Law Auditorium, putting the room near capacity, to hear David Sanger, chief Washington correspondent for the New York Times, lecture.

Sanger examined how China, Japan and India have risen as world powers to become strategic competitors to the U.S. economy and military.

Sanger focused much of his lecture on China, a country Sanger said has one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

"China has managed to do what no other country has done, come down the rushing waters on a raft without getting hit by a boulder," Sanger said, referring to China's rapid development as a world power.

He also explained his concerns with America's relationship to China, which he said five years ago would only be considered a large manufacturer of cheap goods. Sanger said recent news has shown through the Tibetans' recent uproar over the Olympics China has two sides.

"What worries me is that we as a country have not come up with a policy to deal with the two sides of China," Sanger said. "The side that is prospering and the side that is insecure," referring to the Tibetans.

Sanger also articulated his concerns for the United States. He said America has put all of its eggs in one basket, worrying about Sept. 11 and Iraq, while the rest of the world is moving on. He said the nation should not forget about Sept. 11, but it too must move on.

"The speech was excellent," said Drake Johnson, a junior from Chicago studying political science. "I read one of his books and I read his articles."

The world-renowned journalist has built a successful 25-year career covering issues involving globalization, foreign policy and Asian affairs, as well as the Bush presidency. Sanger has also appeared on news shows, including Washington Week in Review, Face the Nation and the News Hour with Jim Lehrer. The Harvard graduate also has been a member of Pulitzer winning New York Times reporting teams twice.

Ken Suzuki, a junior from Moline studying political science and an intern in multicultural development, said Sanger was brought to campus as a part of Asian American Heritage Month not just because of his coverage of Asia, but also his knowledge of world politics.

"We wanted to bring someone down who would appeal to everyone and had a variety of knowledge," he said.

The next event for Asian American Heritage Month is an Asian and Middle-Eastern cultural fair 7 p.m. Monday in the Student Center Ballroom A.

DeMarcus Hamilton can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 254 or youngmh@siu.edu.

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