Us Asia Institute

Networking Receptions:The US-Asia Institute kicked off 2022 with its annual Lunar New Year reception. Because of the resurgence in COVID cases, it was hosted virtually. More than 250 virtual attendees participated from the govt, business, academic and diplomatic communities. Courtyard Receptions. In May and July of 2022, 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. Virtual programming, though it has its value, will never replace in-person interaction. Holiday Luncheon. An in-person holiday luncheon was hosted by USAI in December 2022 to show appreciation for USAI Board Members, Advisory Board counselors, Congressional Circle, and other friends and volunteers who support USAI. 45 people were able to attend in person.

Professional development program:American rule of law. American law students, though once again unable to travel to China and Hong Kong for a two-week period to learn firsthand about Chinas legal system, were able to participate in a virtual program. 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 sixth 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 (two in-person and 5 virtually) 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 ProgramsThe US-Asia Institute continued two youth development programs for Filipino American and Thai American young leaders and launched a third for Mongolian 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. Six participants were selected with all participating in person The Thai American National Internship Program (TANIP) returned in 2022 with 4 students, all in-person.The Mongolian-US National Civic Engagement Program (MUNCEP) was launched in 2022 with 5 students participating, all in-person US-Asia Institute Internship Program. 20 outstanding young people from around the globe participated in the US-Asia Institutes internship program in 2022. 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.

Delegations: Outgoing delegations to the countries of Asia restarted in 2022 with a Members Delegation to Cambodia and Singapore in August/September 2022. The US-Asia Institute, believing in the importance of people-to-people engagement also continued two virtual dialogue programs to keep the lines of communication open between US and Chinese policy makers and influencers. Candid Conversations for Members of Congress with Chinese officials. Virtual Staff Delegations. Because of the travel ban, in-person delegations were not possible between the U.S. and China and other countries. The US-Asia Institute took ten Congressional staff delegations to China during 2021 and a Chief of Staff delegation to Singapore. Each group met with the American Embassy in country; participated in a roundtable discussion with in country scholars; interacted with officials from relevant Ministries; and engaged with American businesses in China in country. Regional Dialogues on US-China Relations. With corporate stakeholder, Las Vegas Sands, USAI continued Regional Dialogues to discuss various aspects of US-China Relations. In March 2022, a dialogue on Innovation in Energy, the Environment and Sustainability was held in Washington DC both in-person and virtually. More than 250 people from across the United States and China participated virtually and 120 people in-person to discuss opportunities and challenges in the US-China cooperation in these areas.

Diplomatic Programming:Diplomats from the 15 Embassies USAI works with participated in Election 2022 programming which helped them to understand the midterm elections through a briefing at USAI, a field trip to a polling site on election day with a briefing by elected officials, and a watch party on election night

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.