Briefings at the US-Asia Institute cover a variety of subjects with participants from various fields regarding to issues significant to U.S.-Asia relations. Generally, all briefings are off-the-record in order to facilitate open and candid discussion. Upcoming briefings will be made known via our mailing list and the homepage of our website.
The success of our briefings hinges on active participation between the audience and panelists. If you wish to participate as either, please contact us to RSVP or for further information. Thank you for your support, interest, and participation.
A Capital Hill Forum on ASEAN
There are numerous issues surrounding Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, which consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam. How do issues in this region affect United States? To raise awareness, the US-Asia Institute, together with the US-ASEAN Business Council is organizing a four part series to highlight key aspects of the US-ASEANRead more...
Leadership in Transition: China
The US-Asia Institute Presented a Capitol Hill Forum: Leadership in Transition: CHINA Featuring Dr. Jeffrey A. Bader John C. Whitehead Senior Fellow The Brookings Institution Moderated by Susan Lawrence Congressional Research Service Monday, December 10, 2012 2:00-3:00pm HC-8 The Capitol Building Just after the U.S. elections, China began its once-in-a-decade leadership transition. With the selection of the new Politburo StandingRead more...
The Asia-Pacific Moving Forward: Unrest, Uncertainty, and the Pivot
Thank you for joining us for an off-the-record briefing which addressed recent tensions in the Asia Pacific, including the territorial conflicts of the South China Sea and the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, how these are affected by the US pivot towards the Asia Pacific, and what are some potential outcomes moving forward. Speakers: Moderator: Ben Dolven, Congressional Research Service Japan Expert: Dr.Read more...
Leadership in Transition: Japan
US-Asia Institute held a discussion concerning the immense political change that has occurred in post-2005 Japan, following the resignation of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. During this time, the maturation of electoral reform, rapid Prime Ministerial leadership transition, and the emergence of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) have impacted Japanese politics to perhaps an unparalleled degree. The current DPJRead more...
China Briefing Session 6: China's Coming Leadership Transition
In our final session of the China 101 Briefing Series for this year, we discussed China’s leadership transition process that will go forward this fall and its underlying dynamics. The speakers described the implications of the transition for China and U.S.-China relations. Speaker Dr. Cheng Li, Director of Research and Senior Fellow at the John L. Thornton China Center inRead more...
China 101 Briefing Session 5: Human Rights and Social Change in China
In the fifth session of China 101 Briefing Series, two speakers discussed the current state of human rights and the impact of social change on the relations between United States and China. Speakers Dr. John Tai, AECOM Dr. Sophie Richardson, Human Rights Watch Moderator Dr. Thomas Lum, Congressional Research Service Details July 16, 2012 2:00-3:00PM Longworth House Office Building, 1539Read more...
China 101 Briefing Session 4: What Challenges Does China's Economic Model Pose for U.S. Policymakers?
In the fourth session of China 101 Briefing Series, the speakers gave a presentation on the effects of China’s economic models on US-China relations. Participants were introduced to issues such as China’s incomplete transition to free market, imbalance of economic policies, and the role of government in private sector. Speakers Mr. Wayne Morrison, Congressional Research Service Mr. Henry Levine, AlbrightRead more...
China 101 Briefing Session 3: The U.S.-China Military-to-Military Relationship
In our third week of China 101 Briefing Series, the June 25th session delved into the United States to China military-to-military relationship. Joining us in the discussions, Colonel Susan Puska and Dr. Bernard D. Cole provided the current state of the relationship and its future implications. Colonel Puska was an Ordnance Officer and China Foreign Area Officer for the U.S.Read more...
China 101 Briefing Session 2: Investing in Each Other's Future?
Continuing the China 101 Seminar Series, the second session explored issues in foreign direct investment flows between the United States and China. Dr. Huang, a senior associate in the Carnegie Asia Program at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Prof. Bottelier, a senior adviser on China to the Conference Board, provided a survey on Chinese economy and future ahead. TheRead more...
China 101 Briefing Session 1: Introduction to China and China-U.S. Relations
The U.S.-China Working Group in partnership with the US-Asia Institute held the China 101 Seminar Series this summer for Congressional staff. The six-week series will bring experts to Capitol Hill to introduce and discuss critical aspects of contemporary China and their impacts on a complicated relationship with the U.S. Briefings will include presentations on related topics by experts in theRead more...
Leadership in Transition: Korea
The US-Asia Institute invited experts to examine recent leadership transitions taking place on the Korean Peninsula with the succession of power to Kim Jong Un in North Korea and his efforts to consolidate power, as well as the results of South Korea’s recent legislative elections on April 11, 2012. Speakers discussed these changes, in combination with presidential elections looming atRead more...
Implications of the China-Africa Economic Partnership
The US-Asia Institute hosted special guest speakers to discuss the growing economic ties between China and Africa with a special focus on the impacts for U.S. Foreign Policy. Speakers Dr. Witney Schneidman, Senior Advisor at the Africa Growth Initiative at the Brookings Institution, President of Schneidman & Associates International (http://schneidman.com/) The Honorable David Shinn, former Ambassador and Adjunct ProfessorRead more...
Leadership in Transition: Myanmar
Experts examined the upcoming elections in Myanmar, economic effects of liberalization, and the impact the country’s potential pivot will have on relations with China and the U.S. Speakers Ms. Priscilla Clapp, Senior Advisor, Asia Society Mr. Brad Babson, Consultant on Asian Affairs Ms. Jennifer Quigley, Advocacy Director, US Campaign for Burma Moderator Dr. Michael Martin, Specialist in Asian Affairs, CongressionalRead more...
Leadership in Transition: Greater China
The US-Asia Institute kicked off the Leadership in Transition briefing series by examining changes in the greater China region, specifically in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and how U.S. relations in the region may be affected. Taiwan began 2012 with a presidential election which potentially could alter the balance of diplomatic relations with China. Hong Kong similarly has an important ChiefRead more...
Strategic Rapproachement: The United States, Vietnam and the South China Sea
The US-Asia Institute hosted an off-the-record briefing on Monday, November 7th which focused on “Strategic Rapprochement: The United States, Vietnam and the South China Sea”. Ernest Bower, Senior Advisor and Director at the CSIS Southeast Asia Program and Dr. Satu Limaye, Director of the East West Center in Washington, discussed the burgeoning U.S.-Vietnam relationship and where it fits into theRead more...
Capitol Hill Forum: Featuring Special Guest Dr. Changyong Rhee, Chief Economist, Asian Development Bank
The US-Asia Institute sponsored and hosted Dr. Rhee on Friday, September 23, 2011. Dr. Rhee began his remarks by identifying steady growth in developing Asian states, but noted that the region also has very uneven growth. In regards to poverty and income inequality reduction there are many developing Asian states which are poor performers. Thus, observers must recognize the inherentRead more...
Financial Regulation, Equity & Assets, and the Legal System
The National People’s Congress’ Financial and Economic Committee sent a delegation to the United States to examine current financial regulation legislation in an effort to better inform policy makers in China as they undertake similar legislation. Vice Chairman Wu Ritu, the delegation leader, has been tasked with making recommendations on drafting new laws in China. The two representatives from theRead more...
Intellectual Property Rights Protection in China: Challenges and Trends
On Monday, April 12th, a youth leadership forum made possible by a grant from HSBC Bank was held in the US-Asia Institute. The topic of discussion was on the current challenges and future trends of intellectual property rights protection in China. The purpose of this forum was to address and educate future leaders with interest in US-China bilateral relations throughRead more...
Reception for Visiting National People's Congress Delegation
A delegation from the National People’s Congress (NPC) came by USAI for a briefing and reception while on their Washington D.C. leg of their U.S. delegation. Following the briefing on the health of the U.S.-China relationship with Mr. Wayne Morrison and President Benjamin Wu, a reception was held allowing congressional staff both familiar and new to China to discuss withRead more...
Challenges of a Developing China: Before and After COP15
This late October Forum was dedicated to the upcoming Copenhagen Climate Change Conference and the recognition that China is a major actor in the field of Climate Change negotiations. Three China environment specialists were invited to speak at the US-Asia Institute, including Jennifer L. Turner from the Woodrow Wilson Center, Jane Leggett from the Congressional Research Service, and Taiya SmithRead more...
In China We Trust
On September 25, 2009 the US-Asia Institute held a seminar on U.S.-China economic interdependence. The goal of this seminar, part of a series of discussions regarding China, was to address youth involved with U.S.-China related interests as part of a youth leadership seminar. Speakers Mr. Henry Levine, Senior Director, Stonebridge China Mr. Randall G. Schriver, Co-Founder of Armitage International and FounderRead more...
Asian Development Bank Capitol Hill Forum
On September 8, 2009 the USAI hosted another off-the-record briefing with a guest speaker from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In this session, the Honorable Rajat M. Nag, Managing Director General of the ADB spoke on the topic of “The two faces of Asia: Bridging the Gap between High Growth Economics and the Poor”. Speaker Mr. Rajat M. Nag, ManagingRead more...
ILF Fellow Capitol Hill Briefing
The International Leadership Foundation (ILF) Fellow Capitol Hill Briefing was held to inform ILF fellows on the workings and legislative process of the U.S. Congress. Speakers Mr. Ben Wu, President, US-Asia Institute Mr. Wayne Morrison, Congressional Research Service Details July 20, 2009 US-Asia Institute 232 East Capitol St, NE Washington, DCCapitol Hill Forum: Rebalancing Asia's Growth
A Capitol Hill Forum on rebalancing Asiafs growth was the topic of a US-Asia Institute briefing on April 14, 2009 at the newly opened U.S. Capitol Visitors Center. Guest speaker Dr. Jong-Wha Lee, provided an outline of how the economic recession has affected Asia and offered insight on how to rebalance Asia’s growth. Dr. Lee introduced the annual ADB publication,Read more...
New York Briefing: The Global Economic Crisis
The impact of the financial crisis on the U.S. and Asia and its impact on the U.S.-Asia relationship became the focus of a special New York briefing hosted by the US-Asia Institute in March 2009. With special guests from the Permanent Missions to the United Nations, the luncheon briefing was held at the Morgan Stanley headquarters in New York onRead more...
Capitol Hill Forum: The Workings of the 111th Congress
Bringing together U.S. congressional staff and representatives from the East Asian embassies, the US-Asia Institute hosted a briefing titled, The Workings of the 111th Congress: Insight into the U.S. Legislative Process, which served to inform embassy officials on how to effectively engage members of Congress and their staff. Speakers Mr. Ken Nealy, Senior Appropriations Counsel for Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) Mr.Read more...
Capitol Hill Forum: National People's Congress Staff Delegation
Staff members from various committees of the Chinese National People’s Congress (NPC) gathered for a roundtable forum at USAI to ask questions to staff from the U.S. Congress about the 2008 presidential election less than a week before the historical event took place. Moderated by USAI President Ben Wu, the dialogue consisted of both Republican and Democratic representatives. Speakers Mr.Read more...
Hong Kong's New Youth Forum
Less than a week before the 2008 presidential election, US-Asia Institute President Ben Wu addressed about twenty college students from the Hong Kong Political Training Program who were visiting the U.S. for the program’s 2008 U.S. Presidential Election Study Tour. When asked who they would vote for in the election if they could, the majority of the students chose then-SenatorRead more...
Capitol Hill Forum: Foreign Policy and the U.S.-China Relationship
In a small, personalized off-the-record briefing, Mr. Dianzhong Shen, Director of the Institute of Sociology at Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, had the opportunity to ask a number of questions to Congressional staff members from both the Democratic and Republican parties regarding this year’s presidential election. Congressional staff members offered their personal views on issues ranging from the war inRead more...
Asian Development Bank Capitol Hill Forum
Financial markets, environmental sustainability and energy efficiency were all topics of discussion at a special event hosted by the US-Asia Institute, with the Honorable Jin Liqun, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), as its key speaker. Speaker The Honorable Jin Liqun, Vice President, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Details February 27, 2008 US-Asia Institute 232 East Capitol St, NERead more...
Capitol Hill Forum: Dr. Bert Hofman
Before arriving in Beijing, Dr. Hofman was Lead Economist at the World Bank Office Jakarta, where he spent more than five years leading a team of professionals focusing on fiscal policy, decentralization, financial sector, poverty analysis, and governance. Prior to Indonesia, he worked for the World Bank on China, Brazil, South Africa, Mongolia, Zambia, and Namibia. He also worked onRead more...
