American Institute in Taiwan Press Release

PR-86-90 December 4, 1986

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DAVID N, LAUX TO BECOME CHAIRMAN OF AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN

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The Board of Trustees of the American Institute in Taiwan announces the appointment of Mr. David N. Laux as chairman of the board and managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan. Mr. Laux was formerly with the National Security Council where he had responsibility for Chinese affairs, as well as Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Island Nations, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Micronesia).

Mr. Laux came to the NSC from the Department of Commerce, where he was director of the Office of China and Hong Kong affairs. In 1981-82 he established the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service in China and served as commercial counselor for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. Prior to that he was director of the People's Republic of China affairs division at the Department of Commerce, and previously he served as a special assistant to the Secretary of Commerce.

Prior to his recent retirement, Mr. Laux served in the U.S. government for over 25 years, working for the Departments of State, Defense, Treasury, and Commerce. For most of these assignments he specialized in Chinese, East Asian or Southeast Asian affairs. In the Departments of State and Defense he specialized in Chinese affairs. He spent four years overseas in Japan, and three years each in Cambodia and France where he served as Chinese Affairs Officer for the U.S. embassies.

Mr. Laux also has had experience in publishing and investment banking in the private sector.

Mr. Laux obtained his Bachelor's degree from Amherst College, has an M.B.A. from American University, did graduate work in government and Chinese studies at the University of California (Berkeley) and Georgetown University, and he is a graduate of the advanced management program at Harvard Business School.

Mr. Laux speaks Chinese, Japanese and French. He has served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps.