Happy Lunar New Year from the USC US-China Institute!
Talking Points, October 1 - 15, 2008
The USC U.S.-China Institute's weekly enewsletter.
October 1, 2008
Talking Points
October 1 - 15, 2008
October 1 - 15, 2008
The immense challenge posed by the credit crisis has dominated headlines here and in China.
“The unfolding financial crisis in the United States leads us to wonder whether this signals the end of that country's long-established financial hegemony in the world.” China Daily, Sept. 26, 2008
At last Friday’s presidential debate the crisis overshadowed much of the planned discussion of foreign policy issues. China did come up, but not often and was not discussed in depth. Senator Obama argued that we need to invest more in education and in research, noting that China had just completed a successful space mission. He also said that China is active in areas such as Africa where America is not, because we are preoccupied with the war in Iraq. Like Senator Obama, Senator McCain noted that China holds a large share of America’s national debt. Senator McCain mentioned this in arguing for reductions in government spending.
Given China’s rising importance in the global economy and international institutions and the complexity of America’s relationship with China, it’s vital that the changes underway in China and U.S.-China relations be discussed this election season. Toward that end, the U.S.-China Institute has worked with the Pacific Council on International Policy and the USC Annenberg School of Communication to produce a 40 minute documentary “Election ’08 and the Challenge of China.” The documentary features contemporary and historical footage of the role of China in American campaign politics and an examination of critical issues including trade, security, Taiwan, environmental protection, and human rights. We’ve conducted interviews with key former officials, interest group leaders, and the top China policy advisors to the two candidates. The entire video and its component segments will be available at our website next Monday.
And on Monday, October 13, we are hosting a day-long conference on “The Making of U.S.-China Policy.” The keynote address “Shaping China's Choices: Some Recent Lessons for the Next U.S. Administration” will be given by Princeton’s Thomas Christensen, who until August was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia. Other speakers include former and current State, Commerce, Defense, and Treasury officials and consultants, as well as scholars and organization chiefs. All attendees will receive a dvd copy of the USCI documentary. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Write to uschina@usc.edu with your contact information to reserve your space.
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Tomorrow, noted Hong Kong artist, activist and educator, Choi Yan-chi will exhibit her work at the USC School of Architecture. On Friday, Choi will join a distinguished group of scholars, artists, and gallery operators exploring the politics of creating cultural centers and role they are playing in China’s economic transformation. The day-long symposium is entitled "Art and the New Culture City." Additional details are available in the calendar section of our website. Like a peek at some of the contemporary Chinese art that is generating all this discussion? The most recent issue of US-China Today includes an illustrated article on the subject.
Later this month, the USC Rossier School of Education and USCI are hosting a two day conference looking at trends in Chinese higher education. Peking University provost Lin Jianhua and Nankai University president Rao Zihe are among the academic leaders speaking at the gathering. Click here for more information on this October 20-21 conference.
As always, we appreciate hearing from you and hope you’ll share Talking Points with friends and colleagues.
USC:
10/01/2008: Reflecting on Beijing: USC Olympic Athletes and Coaches Discuss Experiences in China
USC, Taper Hall 202, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Time: 7:00PM - 8:30PM
Cost: Free
Please RSVP to uschinatoday@usc.edu
Refreshments will be served.
USCI's online magazine US-China Today presents a panel discussion of USC Olympic athletes and coaches who competed for a variety of countries.
10/03/2008: Art and the New Culture City: Hong Kong, China and the Global Art System
USC, Leavey Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Cost: Free
Time: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
In association with the visit of artist Choi Yan-chi, this one-day symposium examines the current rise of international interest in Chinese contemporary art in relation to the politics of its contexts of production in the new art spaces and studio districts at the core of China’s economic transformation.
10/07/2008: Up the Yangtze
USC, THH 201, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Cost: Free
Time: 2:00PM - 4:00PM
RSVP to eascrsvp@usc.edu
USC East Asian Studies Center presents a screening and Q&A with filmmaker, Yung Chang.
10/13/2008: The Making of U.S. China Policy
USC Davidson Conference Center
Address: Embassy Room, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Cost: Free
Phone: 213-821-4382
Time: 9:00AM - 5:30PM
Scholars and government officials will examine the central issues, institutions, interest-groups, and individuals at work in producing U.S. policy toward China.
California:
10/02/2008: Robert Thurman: Why the Dalai Lama Matters
KQED Auditorium 2601 Mariposa St. San Francisco, CA
5-6:00 pm Free docent tours of KQED
5:30 pm Registration
6:00 pm Program
$10 Members/Students, $15 Non-members, $55 Special Offer: Admission + 1-year ASNC membership
Renowned Tibetan Buddhist scholar Robert A.F. Thurman speaks on his book.
10/03/2008: The Rising Tide
Pacific Asia Museum
46 North Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: (626) 449-2742
Time: 8:00pm
A documentary screening of The Rising Tide, featuring some of China's most talented emerging artists.10/05/2008: Chinese Cultural Family Festival Farewell to the Warriors
Bowers Museum
2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, California 92706
Time: 12:00PM - 4:00PM
A fun-filled afternoon of Chinese music, art, and activities for the entire family.
10/05/2008: To The Spirits Above and the People Below: The First Emperor's Mountain Inscriptions
Bowers Museum
2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, California 92706
Time: 1:30PM
Dr. Martin Kern discusses the inscribed stone steles set on mountain peaks by the First Emperor.10/08/2008: Beijing Opera Lecture and Demonstration at UCLA
UCLA, Schoenberg Hall, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Time: 4:00PM - 6:00PM
The China Beijing Opera Institute's Mei Lanfang Beijing Opera Company will give a lecture and demonstration at UCLA.
10/09/2008: Ping Pong Playa
UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas
7510 Hazard Center Drive, located off Friars Road at 163, San Diego, CA 92108
Cost: See website for details.
Sharply directed by Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Jessica Yu, making her narrative feature directing debut, "Ping Pong Playa" is the rare sports comedy that will have you rolling with laughter, while effectively tackling important Asian American identity issues.
10/09/2008 - 10/10/2008: Blowfish on the Road: Wong Fu Productions x Far East Movement
University of San Diego
Address: SH-21120, San Diego, CA
Time: 12:30PM, 2:30pm
Join Wong Fu Productions and Far East Movement, plus other special celebrity guests for a very special program about the importance of music and videos.10/10/2008: Hollywood Chinese
University Village Cinemas
A1201A University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92507
Time: 6pm
HOLLYWOOD CHINESE comprehensively documents the contributions Chinese American have made to American cinema. Featuring interviews with notable artists such as Ang Lee, Wayne Wang, Joan Chen, David Henry Hwang, Nancy Kwan, Justin Lin, B.D. Wong, Lisa Lu, and James Hong.
10/11/2008: An American in China
UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas
7510 Hazard Center Drive, located off Friars Road at 163, San Diego, CA 92108
Cost: See website for details.
Time: 2:50PM, Run time: 90 min.
This coming of age, fish out of water story takes us on a fascinating journey to a world full of strange customs and people. But cultural differences, politics or distance cannot change the fact that we all share the same basic desire: to love and be loved.
10/11/2008: The Killing of a Chinese Cookie
UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas
Address: 7510 Hazard Center Drive, located off Friars Road at 163, San Diego, CA 92108
Cost: See website for details.
Time: 4:20PM, Run time: 75 min.
Filmmaker Derek Shimoda invites us to take a closer look at a little something taken for granted at the end of nearly every Chinese restaurant meal, fortune cookies. Who started it all? And who writes those fortunes anyway?
10/11/2008: Magazine Gap Road
UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas
Address: 7510 Hazard Center Drive, located off Friars Road at 163, San Diego, CA 92108
Time: 9:30PM, Run time: 115 min.
MAGAZINE GAP ROAD is a followup to director Nicholas Chin’s short film Tai Tai and touts an accomplished cast and crew including Beijing actress Qu Ying, Jessey Meng, cinematographer Chan Yuan Kai and Oscar award-winning editor Jean Tsien.10/11/2008: Secret (Bu Neng Shuo De Mi Mi)
UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas
7510 Hazard Center Drive, located off Friars Road at 163, San Diego, CA 92108
Time: 7:00PM, Run time: 101 min.
Arguably the world’s most popular Mandarin-language recording artist, Jay Chou establishes himself as a gifted performer and a skillful auteur with his directorial debut film SECRET.10/11/2008: Family Inc.
UltraStar Mission Valley
7510 Hazard Center Drive, located off Friars Road at 163, San Diego, CA 92108
Cost: See website for details.
Time: 1:10PM, Run time: 60 min.
When filmmaker Emily Ting was asked by her father to return to Asia and take over the family business, she didn’t exactly know how to say ‘no.’ Promising herself she would try it out for just one year, she traded in her friends, her filmmaking pursuits, and her love of New York for a grueling new life as CEO in training in one of Hong Kong’s most notorious toy companies.
10/12/2008: Assembly
UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas
7510 Hazard Center Drive, located off Friars Road at 163, San Diego, CA 92108
Cost: See website for details.
Time: 2:00PM, Run time: 124 min.
Based on a true story, ASSEMBLY follows one man’s journey in search of truth and honor in the aftermath of one of the bloodiest battles in the Chinese Civil War.
10/12/2008: Yours Truly, Miss Chinatown
UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas
Address: 7510 Hazard Center Drive, located off Friars Road at 163, San Diego, CA 92108
Cost: See website for details.
Time: 3:30PM, Run time: 60 min.
YOURS TRULY, MISS CHINATOWN goes behind the scenes of the 2003 Los Angeles Miss Chinatown pageant, delving into the lives of two pageant contestants during the pageant and the aftermath.
10/12/2008: Archaeological Perspectives on the Qin Unification of China
Bowers Museum
2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, California 92706
Dr. Lothar Von Falkenhausen introduces recent archaeological findings that have prompted a reinterpretation of the First Emperor's historical contribution.
10/13/2008: Free Screening: Red Race
UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas
7510 Hazard Center Drive, located off Friars Road at 163, San Diego, CA 92108
Cost: Free
Time: 4:00PM, Run time: 70 min.
Against the backdrop of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and escalating international condemnation and demonstrations over Chinese policies from Tibet to Darfur, THE RED RACE presents a detailed insight into the Chinese passion for gymnastics.
10/14/2008: Free Screening: Follow Your Heart: China's New Youth Movement
UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas
7510 Hazard Center Drive, located off Friars Road at 163, San Diego, CA 92108
Cost: Free
Time: 4:00PM, Run time: 91 min.
FOLLOW YOUR HEART investigates the dynamic between the inflexible political environment and a modernizing ancient culture, the issues that are affecting Chinese youth.
10/14/2008: Lovers
UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas
7510 Hazard Center Drive, located off Friars Road at 163, San Diego, CA 92108
Cost: See website for details.
Time: 8:30PM, Run time: 115 min
Set against the beautiful, glowing backdrop of modern Shanghai, LOVERS deals with the subjects of love both lost and found, and the fragility of a second chance.
10/15/2008: A Thousand Years of Good Prayers
UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas
7510 Hazard Center Drive, located off Friars Road at 163, San Diego, CA 92108
Cost: See website for details.
Time: 7:30 PM, Run time: 83 min.
A Thousand Years of Good Prayers is among filmmaker Wayne Wang's latest Asian-themed films that explore the bonds of family and Chinese identity in the modern world.
North America:
10/01/2008: Fishing Murky Waters: China's Aquaculture Challenges Upstream and Downstream
Woodrow Wilson Center
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20004-3027
Cost: Free
Time: 9:00AM - 11:00AM
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars presents a talk on China's aquaculture industry.
10/01/2008: China’s New Confucianism: Politics and Everyday Life in a Changing Society
Columbia University
International Affairs Building, Room 918, New York, NY 10027
Cost: Free
Time: 12:00PM - 1:30PM
Columbia University presents a talk by Daniel A. Bell as part of the the Brown Bag Lecture series.10/03/2008 - 10/04/2008: The Olympics in East Asia: Nationalism, Regionalism and Globalism on the Center Stage of World Sports
Register by Monday, September 29, 2008
Cost: Free.
This international symposium brings together scholars from three continents to consider the historical contributions of East Asian nations to the Olympics and the impact of the Olympics on these East Asian societies.
10/07/2008: Local Gazetteers in Ming Dynasty Borderlands
University of Michigan
1080 South University, Room 1636 School of Social Work Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
12:00PM - 1:00PM
Fall 2008 CCS Noon Lecture Series Joseph Dennis will explore the compilation, publication, and circulation of local gazetteers in Ming dynasty borderlands.
10/07/2008: The Cinema of Ang Lee
Columbia University
International Affairs Building, Room 918 , New York, NY 10027
Cost: Free
Time: 12:00 PM-1:30 PM
Whitney Crothers Dilley, Associate Professor, Department of English, Shin Hsin University
10/08/2008: How the Media Handles Tibet
Columbia University
International Affairs Building, Room 918 , New York, NY 10027
Cost: Free
Time: 12:00PM - 1:30PM
Robert Barnett, Director of the WEAI Modern Tibetan Studies Program, Columbia University
Orville Schell, Director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations, Asia Society
Tseten Wangchuk, Senior Broadcaster, Voice of America, Tibetan language service10/09/2008: Modern Bridges of China
University of Kansas
Centennial Room, Kansas Union
Time: 4:00PM - 6:00PM
Several signature bridges built in China in recent time will be introduced along with bridge engineering and construction education programs in Chinese Universities. The construction of these bridges reflects the current boom development in China.
10/10/2008 - 10/12/2008: Higher Education in China
Harvard University
Address: 1730 Cambridge St. CGIS South Building, Rooms S030 and S050
Phone: 617-495-4046
Scholars throughout the world will explore the development of higher education in contemporary China in broader historical and comparative perspectives.
10/14/2008: A Premonition of the Fall of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279): A Reading of a Song Lyric Composed in 1253 about Reveling on the West Lake
University of Michigan
Room 1636 School of Social Work Building, 1080 South University, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
Time: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Professor Shuen-fu Lin will present a close reading of a song lyric (ci) reportedly written by the scholar-official Wen Jiweng (fl 1253-1275).
10/15/2008: 17th Annual Charles Neuhauser Memorial Lecture
Harvard University
CGIS South Building, Room S020
Cost: Free
Phone: 617-495-4046
Time: 4:00PM - 6:00PM
Douglas Spelman will speak about his experiences while serving as the representative of the U.S. Government in China.
Exhibitions:
07/26/2008 - 10/04/2008: Absurd Recreation
Sweeney Art Gallery
3800 Main Street University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92501
A multi-media group exhibition of nine artists from China who engage in an absurdist "recreation" of settings, events, and situations in reaction to the rapidly changing social and cultural landscape in China.
07/26/2008 - 10/04/2008: A Sense of Place: Remembering Riverside’s Chinatowns
Sweeney Art Gallery
3800 Main Street University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92501
A series of educational workshops and historical reflections on Riverside's historical Chinatowns runs alongside the Sweeney Art Gallery exhibition, Absurd Recreation.07/11/2008 - 10/12/2008: Sun Xun
UCLA Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd , Los Angles, CA 90024
Sun Xun creates animations that combine hand-drawn renderings and traditional materials with new media.05/18/2008 - 10/12/2008: Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of the First Emperor
Bowers Museum
Address: 2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Phone: 714-567-3600
This summer exhibit at Bowers Museum showcases the famous terra cotta warriors buried with the First Emperor of China.09/10/2008 - 01/04/2009: Mahjong: Contemporary Chinese Art from the Sigg Collection
2626 Bancroft Way, UC Berkeley campus
Cost $5- 12 General Admission
141 works by 96 artists, drawn from one of the world’s most important and comprehensive collections of contemporary Chinese art.09/17/2008 - 01/11/2009: Confucius: Shaping Values Through Art
Pacific Asia Museum
Address: 46 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena , CA 91101
Cost: $7 for adults, $5 for students/seniors
Phone: (626) 449-2742
Confucius: Shaping Values Through Art explores how Confucian values have permeated East Asian culture. It utilizes the Museum’s own collection as a case study.
09/05/2008 - 01/11/2009: Art and China's Revolution
Asia Society and Museum
725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street), New York City
General admission is $10, seniors $7, students $5 and free for members and persons under 16
Asia Society Presents First Comprehensive Exhibition Devoted to Revolutionary Chinese Art from the 1950s Through 1970s.
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USC U.S. – China Institute
3535 S. Figueroa St.
FIG 202
Los Angeles, CA 90089-1262
Tel: 213-821-4382
3535 S. Figueroa St.
FIG 202
Los Angeles, CA 90089-1262
Tel: 213-821-4382
Fax: 213-821-2382
Email: uschina@usc.edu
Website: http://china.usc.edu
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