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W&L Senior on Chinese TV

When Washington and Lee senior Morten Wendelbo undertook two weeks’ study in Beijing, China, little did he know that he would wind up appearing on a Chinese television show. He is appearing today on “Dialogue,” a program on China’s state-run, 24-hour news station, CCTV News.

Morten is meeting analysts, researchers and academics while he researches his thesis on global politics. Guiding his work are W&L politics professors Tyler Dickovick and Ayse Zarakol.

How did he land a TV spot? “One of my contacts here in Beijing, a professor at one of the capital´s universities, recommended me to the TV station to participate after meeting with me this past week,” Morten wrote in an email from Beijing.

According to Morten, the particular edition of the show is focused on youth and the perception of China-U.S. and China-West relations. He will join two Chinese students and an American student. Although Morten is from Aalborg, Denmark, the producers consider him an American student.

Morten’s thesis focuses on Chinese policy toward Taiwan, and the consequences of that relationship for international security. In particular, he is examining the shaping forces of nationalism with respect to how policy emerges.

In addition to his global politics major, Morten has a minor in environmental studies. He was a Bonner Leader and finished 900 hours of community service to graduate the Bonner Program in October. He was named General of the Month for September.