In a time when the United States is looking for its friends in the world, State Sen. Judy Myers (R-Danville) and her fellow Illinois General Assembly members were glad to say America could count China among them.

During a panel discussion about how China deals with domestic problems, including terrorism, Myers and several others brought their experiences in that country to the table.

The keynote speaker of the evening was Col. Xianming Kong, who gave an address about his recent experience providing security for President George W. Bush on Bush’s visit to China.

This was President Bush’s first trip out of the country since Sept. 11, and Kong coordinated with the Secret Service to provide Bush’s protection while he traveled abroad.

Kong gave a very thorough address about his experiences in America and his duties in China, covering everything from police cooperation between nations to how China handles terrorist action and what the world needs to do as a community in order to provide safety and security against tragedies like Sept. 11.

He indicated that cooperation and communication were the best ways to proceed in respect to any international situation.

The success of other programs like this, such as drug enforcement policies and criminal extradition, is a great model for what cooperation can achieve between nations, Kong said.

“We must fight together to cut the roots of terrorism … society must belong to the just,” he said.

After Kong, Chris Seper, who specializes in personal technology for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, spoke about techno-terrorism and some of the other ways war occurs in the 21st century.

Seper explained that the only way to affect the United States in direct attacks is through methods like terrorism, computer viruses, and other more non-traditional fighting means.

He also said that when the conflict in Afghanistan is over and America still needs a presence in Asia, America will need strong relations with China.

“I’m grateful that China is our friend,” said Myers. “It was such an experience to visit there and be exposed to every level of their government and their educational system … and everyone we met was so anxious to learn about America.”

Myers said she thought a blending of a “wild, woolly, tech” culture like ours and an ancient culture like China’s is a great thing.

Her statements were echoed by State Rep.Chuck Hartke (D-Teutopolis), who said the U.S. definitely wants to make friends with other nations right now, and thinks that China and the United States have much to offer each other.

“Friends don’t hurt each other,” he said. “The more we understand about each other, the better off we will be.”

For that reason, it was no accident that all of these people were here to witness the beginning of Eastern’s Public Policy Institute, which received contributions from China in order to broaden students’ understanding of how governments deal with issues that effect the world.

State Rep. Judy Erwin (D-Chicago) also said that cooperation was important to winning the war on terrorism.

“Power and might are not as strong as peace and understanding,” she said.

In the audience was interim President Lou Hencken, who was extremely pleased with the event and with the evening overall.

“This is a remarkable opportunity for the students to meet with their elected officials, and with the people from China,” he said. “It just shows how committed professors like (Y Pe) Chen are to their students.

“I think it’s fantastic to have all of these people here, and I was happy to see the students here taking advantage of it,” Hencken said.