US Asia Institute

Professional development programs: American Rule of Law. American law students traveled to China and Hong Kong for a two-week period in May 2023 to learn firsthand about Chinas legal system. This program found them meeting with law professors and students, government and non-government institutions, lawyers and businessmen in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen. The interactive discussions provided them with a basic knowledge of China and Hong Kongs legal systems, allowing for comparisons to the US rule of law. This was the eighth year of this program. Chinese Rule of Law. The Chinese Rule of Law program brought Chinese law students from three top Chinese universities Tsinghua, Peking University School for Transnational Law and Shanghai Jiao Tongto the US as the program returned to an in-person format. The students were able to meet with Members and staff of Congress, judges at all levels, law students, practicing lawyers, think tanks and others to gain insight into the U.S. rule of law system This was the 16th year the program was held. Youth Development Programs The US-Asia Institute continued three youth development programs for Filipino American, Mongolian American, and Thai American young leaders. IMPACT! USAI continued a youth empowerment program for Filipino American young people to provide them the opportunity to build a stronger understanding of how the US government works and how they can make a difference by becoming actively engaged in their communities. The participants were placed in virtual internships around Washington DC to engage with policy and thought leaders firsthand. 7 participants were selected with all participating in person The Thai American National Internship Program (TANIP) welcomed 5 students, all in-person. The Mongolian-US National Civic Engagement Program (MUNCEP) brought 2 students to Washington DC to participate in the program. USAI Internship Program. 16 outstanding young people from around the globe participated in the US-Asia Institutes internship program in 2023. From special high school mentoring programs to short term mini-mester experiences to part and full-time internships, the USAI served as a unique training ground for aspiring young professionals to learn firsthand how government works and the interaction between the government, business, academic and diplomatic communities. The internship was bolstered by weekly Lunch and Learns where USAI trustees, advisors, and contacts offered their unique insights into various issues, career paths, and more. The USAI internship network coupled with the other professional development programs numbers more than 1,000 members. USAI x SGN Cultural Exchange and Community Building: A Path to Professional Success USAI and the Singapore Global Network (SGN) hosted a happy hour event geared toward young professionals working on Southeast Asia and/or of Southeast Asian descent featuring a panel at Cranes DC. AAPI: Unique and Powerful Voices Shaping the Fabric of America Congresswoman Young Kim delivered remarks before Sahra English, Managing Director of Global Government Affairs at Citi, moderated a discussion with panelists Aryani Ong, Director of the Anti-Hate Program at The Asian American Foundation; Christine Chen, co-Founder and Executive Director of APIAVote; and Tina Wei Smith, former Executive Director of the White House Initiative on AAPI on the important role AAPI play in shaping America. A networking reception followed.

Briefings and Webinars: Most of the US-Asia Institutes programming returned to in-person events. Northeast Asia in Focus and Southeast Asia in Focus remained on the Zoom platform, enabling USAI to expand its reach for audience participation and to attract speakers from around the world. In 2023, USAI hosted: China 101 seminars for Congressional staff (in person) ASEAN 101 seminars for Congressional staff (in person) India 101 seminars for Congressional staff Japan 2023 seminars for Congressional Staff (in person; smaller roundtable discussions) Southeast Asia In Focus Webinars (virtually) Northeast Asia In Focus Webinars (virtually) APEC 2023 briefings (in person) North Korea briefings (virtually and in person)

Networking Receptions: The US-Asia Institute kicked off 2023 with its annual Lunar New Year reception. It was hosted in person for the first time since 2020. More than 250 attendees participated from the govt, business, academic and diplomatic communities. Courtyard Receptions. In May, July, and September of 2023, the US-Asia Institute hosted Courtyard Receptions utilizing the outdoor space surrounding USAI Headquarters. More than 350 people stopped by. These receptions are integral to USAIs mission of people-to-people interaction to build understanding and keep the lines of communication open. Holiday Luncheon. An in-person holiday luncheon was hosted by USAI in December 2023 to show appreciation for USAI Board Members, Advisory Board counselors, Congressional Circle, and other friends and volunteers who support USAI. 52 people were able to attend in person.

Delegations: No outgoing delegations were conducted during 2023. However, the US-Asia Institute welcomed and did roundtable discussion with the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies one roundtable with Congressional staff and a second with corporate, academic, and USAI-affiliated friends; a River to River discussion in New York with a delegation from the Hubei Provincial Government out of Wuhan; a meeting with the President and colleagues from the Chinese Peoples Institute of Foreign Affairs in New York; a general discussion with the Chinese-US Exchange Foundation out of Hong Kong; welcomed ten Mongolian mid-career professionals for a week-long democracy and leadership training program. APEC Day on the Hill USAI organized meetings for the National Committee on Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation on Capitol Hill to discuss plans for the US hosting of APEC 2023. The group met with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Young Kim, Congressman Rick Larsen, Congressman Adrian Smith, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and Senator Tom Carper. Corporations represented included Citi, P&G, and Organon.

Other Programming: Asia News Brief. Every Monday and Thursday, the US-Asia Institute disseminates a news briefing email to more than 11,000 subscribers providing them with insight into the stories of the day from an Asian news perspective. Asia Unscripted. Asia-focus podcasts are released occasionally addressing interesting and insightful topics of the day Congressional Circle. The reinvigorated USAI Congressional Circle hosted Summer and Fall Happy Hour events to bring members of the Circle back together post-pandemic and to get their ideas for moving forward.

Diplomatic Programming: US-Asia Relations and the 118th Congress USAI welcomed Asia diplomats to a panel discussion on understanding the new leadership in the House and Senate in regard to US-Asia relations. State Government 101 for Diplomats USAI Vice Chairman Ben Wu led a group of Asia diplomats on a trip to Annapolis, where they met with Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee, members of Marylands Asia-Pacific Caucus, and Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller. The group also got the opportunity to sit in on the state legislative process and tour the Maryland State House. Diplomats from the 15 Embassies USAI works with participated in Election 2023 programming which helped them to understand the Virginia local elections through a briefing at USAI and a field trip to a polling site in McLean, VA on election day where they were able to chat with voters, candidates, and campaign officials. US-Thai Alliance Caucus Celebration In collaboration with the Thai Embassy in Washington, DC, USAI will host a luncheon discussion on Asian Hate with Members of Congress, relevant Administration officials, and scholars of US-Thai relations on Capitol Hill.