Committee of 100 Newsletter

Chinese Delegates to Strategic and Economic Dialogue Co-hosted by Committee at Major U.S.-China Gathering

August 2009 | By Yong Lu and Jane Leung Larson

The Committee of 100 was among the hosts of a July 28 dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Washington to honor China’s delegation to the third Strategic and Economic Dialogue (SED), a bi-annual bilateral meeting that seeks to expand economic and security partnerships between the U.S. and China to solve the economic crisis and climate crisis and create the conditions for sustainable development. Among the speakers at the dinner meeting were Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner, who co-chaired the SED discussions. The distinguished Chinese delegation included Wang Qishan (Vice Premier), Dai Bingguo (State Councilor), Xie Xuren (PRC Minister of Finance), and Zhou Xiaochuan (Governor of People’s Bank of China).

Committee members and guests at the Ritz-Carlton event:  from left, Handel Lee, Clarence Kwan, Kris Balderston, Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley, Shirley Young, John L. Fugh, June Fugh, and Cheng Li.

The Committee of 100 and Shanghai Expo 2010: Monthly Progress Report

August 2009 | By Jane Leung Larson

As a Strategic Partner of the USA National Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai Expo, the Committee has been involved in a flurry of activities this past month. C-100 Governor Shirley Young, co-chair of C-100’s Expo initiative, described the endeavors now underway:

Mobilization of support for the World Expo:

Third C100 Summer Institute in China Gives Bay Area Teachers Inspiration for the Classroom

August 2009 | By Karen Leong Clancy and Jane Leung Larson

For the third summer, the Committee of 100 Education Initiative under the leadership of Leslie Tang Schilling organized a three-week program for San Mateo County teachers that immersed them in Chinese culture, history and society and helps them transfer those lessons to their classrooms and beyond. Seventeen teachers participated in the Institute, which was led by C-100 Education Consultant Karen Leong Clancy and co-sponsored by the San Mateo County Office of Education and UC Berkeley National Resource Center on East Asia. The purpose of the Institute is to help classroom teachers bring China alive for their students and to develop new teaching materials based on a direct experience of life in China

2009 San Mateo Country China Summer Institute Participants, Huazhong Normal University Professors and Volunteers at the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, China

Committee to Sponsor PBS Special Featuring Hao Jiang Tian

August 2009 | By Jane Leung Larson

PBS will feature the story of Metropolitan Opera star Hao Jiang Tian in “From Mao to the Met,” Tian’s autobiographical one-man show. The Committee of 100 is the sole sponsor of the television program, which will be a highly-publicized pledge drive musical special filmed at a live multi-media performance at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College on September 14 [see “Upcoming Events” in this issue for details]. The program will be broadcast nationwide between November 28 and December 13 (check PBS local listings for exact date and time).

Hao Jiang Tian’s transformations, from life under Mao to basso cantante at the Met.

Committee Chair Hails Apology by California State Assembly for 150 Years of Chinese Persecution

August 2009 | By Jane Leung Larson

On July 17, the California Legislature enacted a historic resolution that apologizes for the unjust laws and unfair treatment suffered by the Chinese in California for over 150 years: “The Legislature deeply regrets the enactment of past discriminatory laws and constitutional provisions which resulted in the persecution of Chinese living in California, which forced them to live in fear of unjust prosecutions on baseless charges, and which unfairly prevented them from earning a living.”

An immigrant from China is questioned at the Angel Island Immigration Center in San Francisco Bay. [U.S. National Archives photo].

John S. Chen Chairman, Committee of 100

August 2009

After 45 days as Chairman, I have been impressed with the energy of our members as they consider many new activities to fulfill our dual mission—strengthening U.S.-China relations and promoting the full participation of Chinese-Americans in American society.

Part of my personal goal as Chairman is to build a broader platform to engage our members. By maximizing member participation, C-100 can become more involved in important issues in a greater variety of fields and thereby reach new heights.

Toward this end, in August we held a Leadership Strategy Meeting in San Francisco. More than forty members attended this energizing discussion on how to move C-100 forward. There is a strong sentiment from the membership that we develop programs relevant to C-100’s mission. We intend to engage with decision-makers and take positions on key issues. Also, we will continue to empower the next generation of Chinese Americans through our mentoring and education programs.

Jeffrey Li Joins Board of USA Pavilion Shanghai Expo 2010

August 2009 | By Jane Leung Larson

Novartis China President Jeffrey Li was elected as a director of the board of the non-profit organization in charge of the fundraising, building and operation of the USA Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Li, based in Beijing, and Shirley Young, based in Shanghai and New York, are co-chairing the Committee of 100’s efforts to support the Pavilion. The U.S. State Department has designated the Committee as a Strategic Partner of the USA Pavilion, and C-100 in turn is recruiting American businesses with interests in China as well as Chinese Americans, among others, to participate in the Expo. See “C-100 Shanghai Expo Progress Report” in this issue for more on the Committee’s efforts.

Fresh News: Press Clips and Links for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo

August 2009 | By Jane Leung Larson

The Shanghai World Expo may be falling below the radar in the American press, but come next May it promises to burst forth as a showcase not only for China’s most modern city but as a center of international interchange. The Committee of 100 is dedicated to boosting American involvement in China’s first world’s fair, and the links below will give you a sense of what is happening in Shanghai and beyond.

The Chinese Pavilion at the World Expo as it will look at night, shown in this June trial run.

Committee to Welcome China’s Top Legislator

August 2009 | By Jane Leung Larson

Wu Bangguo, Chairman, Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), will be honored at a dinner in Washington, D.C. on September 10 co-hosted by the Committee of 100. Ranking number two in China’s political hierarchy under President Hu Jintao, Wu has been invited to the U.S. by the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Peolosi. Other hosts are the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S.-China Business Council, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, U.S.-China Policy Foundation, and China General Chamber of Commerce – USA.

Wu’s visit is an official exchange between the National People’s Congress and the U.S. Congress. Chairman Wu received Committee of 100 China delegations in 2005 and 2007.

Beijing Conference Program Begins to Take Shape

August 2009 | By Su Cheng Harris-Simpson and Jane Leung Larson

The public is invited to participate in the Committee of 100’s Third Greater China Conference in Beijing from December 8 to 9, joining C-100 members and Chinese and American government officials, business leaders, and opinion leaders. Discussion will center on the relationship between the U.S. and China, shared interests, and collaborative strategies.

Specifically, the agenda includes panels on the aftermath of the financial crisis, reflections by American journalists on China, American and Chinese Ambassadors discussing how to build strategic trust, a review of Chinese and American hi tech developments, and arts and entertainment. There will be a mentoring session to open the conference as well as a gala awards dinner.