Two nations who have not spoken since 1949 are finally talking – all with the goal of setting up embassies in both capitals.

Taiwan and China governments began official talks earlier this month, and in order to help bring the international news to Eastern, the Public Policy Institute is bringing in the top Taiwan representative of the American Midwest.

Baushaun Ger will be visiting Eastern to give a short talk covering the latest developments in Taiwan, followed by a panel discussion.

Included on this panel discussion is Edmund Wehrle, a history professor; David Carwell, a political science professor; Marko Grunhagen, a business professor; and Jinhee Lee, a history professor.

The talk will begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Buzzard Auditorium.

A reception sponsored by the College of Sciences to give the students, faculty and staff an opportunity to meet Ger will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Buzzard Hall Second Floor Atrium.

“China-Taiwan Talk and the Crises in Asia” is part of the Public Policy Institute’s tradition of bringing international news to Eastern, said Ping Chen, the director of the Public Policy Institute.

Along with China and Taiwan talking, another first for Taiwan has taken place recently, Chen said.

College students have occupied the Taiwan parliament buildings for the first time in Taiwan’s history.

“They have barricaded themselves against the police,” he said. “But the police cannot do anything because they are not acting out.”

These developments will also be included in Ger’s talk on Wednesday.

Along with being the highest ranking Taiwanese official in the Midwest, Ger has worked in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Geneva Counsul for Political Affairs and the Deputy Director General.

He received a bachelor of arts in political science at the National Taiwan University, which Chen said is “Taiwan’s best university.” Ger also received a Master of Arts degree in political science from the same university.

The event is free to the public.

Bob Galuski can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].