ODU alum Huston, Principal U.S. Commercial Officer in China, to Give Confucius Institute Lecture

September 23, 2015

Val Huston

The Confucius Institute at Old Dominion University's 2015 Great Discussion Series Lecture will feature Val Huston, principal commercial officer at the United States Embassy to China, on Monday, Sept. 28.

The free lecture is open to the public and will be held in the Big Blue Room at the Ted Constant Convocation Center at 7 p.m. Parking is available in the 45th St. garage.

A 1991 graduate of Old Dominion in philosophy and East Asian studies, Huston will speak on Developments in U.S.-China Trade Relations from a Bejing Perspective.

Huston has been the principal commercial officer in Bejing since June of 2013.

Previously, he was a commercial officer in Beijing, Brussels, Belgium; and Manila, the Philippines. Huston helps U.S. companies find market opportunities and Chinese trading partners; Chinese firms find investment opportunities in the U.S.; promotes U.S. education and tourism opportunities; and advocates for U.S. national economic and trade interests.

Huston joined the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration in Washington, D.C. in 1993. During his six-year tenure, he worked on the Korea desk, in the assignments office, and as associate director for international operations for Southeast Asia. In the 1980s, Huston served six years in the U.S. Navy's Nuclear Power Program. He holds a master's from George Mason University.

The Confucius Institute at ODU fosters understanding between the people of the United States and China through cultural, educational and language programs.

For more information, visit the Confucius Institute's website.