Ambassador Kevin Rudd presents his book On Xi Jinping

Kevin Rudd's On Xi Jinping, undoubtedly the most important book on China published in 2024, dissects Xi's Marxist-Leninist worldview. Rudd's logic is clear: "Xi's ideological blueprint for the future is out there on the Chinese public record for all to see -- assuming, of course, we have eyes to see it, read it, and understand it within its own terms." For students and scholars alike, indeed for the public at large, Rudd's forensic introduction of Xi's ideology is vital. Rudd argues that understanding Xi's ideological battles is an essential input into deciphering the complex world of politics and policy in Beijing.

Professor Rana Mitter from Harvard's Kennedy School lauds Rudd's "meticulous readings of Chinese sources and deep knowledge of Beijing politics to interpret Xi's thinking."

The Center for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies and the Asian Studies Program at the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, invites you to join us at 3:30 pm, Monday, November 18, 2024, as Ambassador Rudd presents his research on Xi Jinping.

Dr Kevin Rudd AC is Australia’s Ambassador to the United States of America, taking up his posting in Washington in March 2023.

Ambassador Rudd served as Australia’s twenty-sixth Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010, then as Minister for Foreign Affairs, before a second term as Prime Minister in 2013. He was Member for Griffith in the Australian Parliament from 1998 to 2013.

Since leaving government, Ambassador Rudd has resided in the United States where he is recognised as a leading analyst of China. In 2015, he became the inaugural President of the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York. In 2020, he was appointed President and CEO of the Asia Society globally and, in 2022, he founded the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis.In 2019, Ambassador Rudd was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to Indigenous reconciliation, innovative economic initiatives, and major policy reform, and through senior advisory roles with international organisations. Ambassador Rudd holds honorary positions at the Atlantic Council and Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC; the Asia Society, Schwartzman Scholars and Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New York; the Paulson Institute in Chicago; the Paris School of International Affairs at Sciences Po in Paris, France; the Chancellor Helmut Schmidt Foundation in Hamburg, Germany; and Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House in Canberra. He is founder and co-chair of an Australian charity, the National Apology Foundation, and a trustee of the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City.

Ambassador Rudd started his diplomatic career in 1981 with postings to Beijing and Stockholm. In 1988, he was appointed Chief of Staff to the Hon Wayne Goss and served him as Premier of Queensland. He was Director-General of the Cabinet Office in Queensland from 1991 to 1995, and Senior China Consultant for KPMG from 1996 to 1998.

Ambassador Rudd graduated with Honours in Asian Studies from the Australian National University and received his PhD from Oxford University in 2022. He also studied at National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei.

This event is sponsored by the Center for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies and the Asian Studies Program at the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Copley Formal Lounge, 3700 O Street Northwest, Washington, United States