Elizabeth Larus

Professor, Political Science University of Mary Washington

  • Fredericksburg VA

Dr. Larus is an expert in the politics of China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong

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Spotlight

2 min

Friends or enemies? Is there any solving the ancient secret that is Chinese diplomacy?

When it comes to trade, investment and trillions of dollars of opportunity for American companies – it would appear that China and the United States should be close-knit allies. However when it comes to military escalation, an emerging global bull and national security – China is also a country that the U.S. government is very concerned about. NPR recently got in touch with UMW Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus to lend her expertise when it comes to the politics of China. Elizabeth Larus, who teaches Chinese studies at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, says any economic "de-coupling" between the U.S. and China will be very difficult. "You can't just say you're going to pick up your factory and move all your resources and have a consistent, reliable energy source and the shipping port to get your stuff out at a decent price, and the logistics. China has nailed that down," said Larus, the author of Politics and Society in Contemporary China. China's President Xi Jinping uses this as leverage, she noted. "One of the goals of this Xi Jinping regime is to make the world really reliant on China for its supply chain, but not to have China reliant on the rest of the world," she added. "So that makes it difficult for the businesses." Is there a way out of this downward spiral? "I do not see a de-escalation anytime soon," she said. October 08 NPR There will be no easy or immediate solution to the hot-and-cold relationship between the United States and China. But if you are covering this ongoing story – then let our experts help with your questions and coverage. Dr. Elizabeth Larus is an expert in the politics of China. She is available to speak to media, simply click on her icon to arrange an interview today.

Elizabeth Larus

2 min

Are America and Japan forming a strong western front when it comes to China?

Friday saw President Joe Biden host a foreign leader for the first time since being elected, with Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga coming to the White House to discuss Asian policies, primarily, concerns about China.  Biden and Suga said they both aimed to tighten the relationship between the two countries during the daylong visit, and China was one of the biggest focuses of the day's meetings. "We committed to working together to take on the challenges from China and on issues like the East China Sea, the South China Sea, as well as North Korea, to ensure the future of a free and open Indo-Pacific," Biden said during remarks in the Rose Garden of the White House on Friday. Suga said he and Biden had "serious talks on China's influence over the peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific, and the world at large." "We agreed to oppose any attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East and South China Seas and intimidation of others in the region," Suga said. "At the same time, we agreed on the necessity for each of us to engage in frank dialogue with China, and in so doing, to pursue stability of international relations, while upholding universal values." China sent 25 warplanes into Taiwan's air defense identification zone on Monday, which was the largest breach of that space since the island began regularly reporting such activity in September, Taiwan's Defense Ministry said. The fact that Suga was the first foreign leader to pay a visit to the White House showed the importance of the relationship between the two countries in promoting democracy in the region, Biden said earlier in the day. April 16 – CNN As China continues to flex its military and economic muscle in the region, the world is watching, and every move may have a global impact. If you are a journalist covering Asia and the political issues that are brewing in the region, then let us help with your coverage. Dr. Elizabeth Larus is an expert in the politics of China. She is available to speak to media, simply click on her icon to arrange an interview today.

Elizabeth Larus

2 min

As China clamps down on Hong Kong – Is Taiwan next?

As protests erupt again across Hong Kong against the recent imposing of new security laws essentially giving Beijing unprecedented powers  – it has some worried about what is next as China pursues it’s One-China policy. In Taiwan people are watching, and concern is growing. Professor Elizabeth Freund Larus teaches political science at the University of Mary Washington and is an #expert on China and the field of Asian studies. She has also been interviewed by media such as CNBC, The Diplomat and CBN News regarding this topic. She has noted that the developments in China, especially with regards to Hong Kong and Taiwan are catching global attention and will impact economies and governments across the globe.  Beijing has taken an especially hard line towards Taiwan since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), ramping up military, economic and diplomatic pressure. Tsai views Taiwan as a de facto independent nation and not part of "one China". But the pressure campaign has done little to endear China to Taiwan's 23 million people. In January, Tsai won a second term with a historic landslide and polls consistently show a growing distrust of China... Social media is filled with messages of support for Hong Kong's democracy movement. Some back Taiwanese independence, or highlight China's rights abuses in regions such as Tibet and Xinjiang. Wendy Peng, a 26-year-old magazine editor who said she often shared pro-Hong Kong democracy messages on social media, said she would now avoid visiting the city. "The national security law makes me wonder how far would China go. Right now I don't see a bottom line and there's probably none. I think it's possible they will target Taiwan next," she said. July -7 Yahoo! New/AFP If you are a reporter covering this progressing story – then let our experts help. Elizabeth Larus is available to speak to media, simply click on her icon to arrange an interview.

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Biography

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor of Political Science, received a Ph.D. (1994) in government with a certificate in Asian studies from the University of Virginia. She earned an M.A. (1989) in public administration, also from the University of Virginia, and a B.A. (1983) in journalism from Creighton University. An expert in the politics of China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, Dr. Larus conducted field research while living in Asia for three years. She speaks Mandarin Chinese and is the former press secretary for former U.S. Congressman Hal Daub. She is the author of the books Economic Reform in China, 1979-2003: The Marketization of Labor and State Enterprises (2005) and Politics and Society in Contemporary China (2012).

Her articles have been published in several professional journals including Issues & Studies, American Journal of Chinese Studies, Policy Studies Review, Southeast Review of Asian Studies, Asian Affairs, American Asian Review, and the Chinese-English magazine Voice of Han.

She also has written chapters in several books including Taiwan and the International Community; The China Handbook; Taiwan and Mainland China Toward the Twenty first Century; Adjusting to Capitalism: Chinese Workers and Their State; Across the Taiwan Strait: Exchanges, Conflicts, and Negotiations; and Remaking China’s Public Management.

Dr. Larus has presented the papers “Taiwan after the Global Financial Crisis: Where Do We Go From Here?” at the American Association for Chinese Studies conference and “Taiwan’s Reaction to Global Financial Crisis” at the American Political Science Association conference.

Among her awards are a Dissertation Fellowship Award and two duPont Fellowships, all from the University of Virginia. She also was the recipient of a Lingnan Foundation Research Grant and a Pacific Cultural Foundation Grant. She was a 2007-08 academic fellow of The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. In addition, Dr. Larus is a member of the American Political Science Association, the Association for Asian Studies, the American Association for Chinese Studies, and the Conference Group on Taiwan Studies. Dr. Larus has served on the editorial board of Issues & Studies and as the president of the Virginia Consortium for Asian Studies.

Areas of Expertise

Political Science
University Teaching
Public Policy
International Relations
Foreign Policy
Research
Community Outreach
Public Speaking
Policy Analysis
Asia-Pacific Issues
Economic Research
Journalism

Accomplishments

Taiwan Fellowship

2015-01-01

Awarded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China.

Research Grant

Awarded by the Lingnan Foundation.

Research Grant in Chinese Studies

Awarded by the Pacific Cultural Foundation.

Education

University of Virginia

Ph.D.

Government

1994

With a certificate in Asian studies.

University of Virginia

M.A.

Public Administration

1989

Creighton University

B.A.

Journalism

1983

Affiliations

  • American Association for Chinese Studies
  • China Studies Group
  • American Political Science Association
  • Conference Group on Taiwan Studies
  • Virginia Consortium for Asian Studies

Media Appearances

Biden Administration's Approach to North Korea

Vietnam News  online

2021-11-04

PSIA Chairman Elizabeth Freund Larus commented on Vietnam News on the Biden administration's approach to North Korea. She indicated that President Biden appears to have accepted the Singapore framework agreed on at the 2018 Trump-Kim meeting, which called for parallel progress toward the goals of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, peace and security on the peninsula, improved U.S.-North Korean relations, and the repatriation of American prisoners of war and missing in action remains from the Korean War. Professor Larus’ comments begin at 11 minutes into the program.

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China’s aggression against Taiwan

Newsy  online

2021-10-18

Elizabeth Larus conducted an interview on China’s aggression against Taiwan with Newsy broadcast news (ScrippsHoward) on Tuesday, Oct 12. She commented that incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ by Chinese military planes has not moved the political needle on Taiwan. The link to download the segment is below.

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Is China a threat or an opportunity? Depends which Americans you ask

KLCC; NPR; WAMU  online

2021-10-08

Elizabeth Larus, who teaches Chinese studies at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, says any economic "de-coupling" between the U.S. and China will be very difficult. "You can't just say you're going to pick up your factory and move all your resources and have a consistent, reliable energy source and the shipping port to get your stuff out at a decent price, and the logistics. China has nailed that down," said Larus, the author of Politics and Society in Contemporary China.

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Event Appearances

Taiwan after the Global Financial Crisis: Where Do We Go from Here?

American Association for Chinese Studies annual meeting  Winston-Salem, NC

2010-10-01

Articles

Technological Change and China's Naval Modernization: Security Implications for Taiwan

Palgrave MacMillan

2015-01-01

In "Cross-Taiwan Strait Relations in an Era of Technological Change: Security, Economic and Cultural Dimensions," edited by Paul Irwin Crookes and Jan Knoerich.

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Politics and Society in Contemporary China

Lynne Rienner Publishers

2012-01-01

This authoritative text captures the dynamism of Chinese politics and society. Elizabeth Larus begins with a broad sweep of China's modern history—from the imperial era to the present—providing essential context for understanding the current political environment. She then makes sense of the dramatic political, social, and economic changes that have occurred across some six decades. The result is a rich and detailed analysis that is both thought-provoking and accessible, appropriate for students at all levels.

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Taiwan's Quest for International Recognition

Issues & Studies

2006-07-01

To be attractive to other states, Taiwan has constructed a national identity based on universal values of democracy, freedom, and economic prosperity. This article examines Taiwan's use of soft power and national identity issues to gain international recognition of national sovereignty.

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