Happy Lunar New Year from the USC US-China Institute!
Screening - Abacus: Small Enough to Jail
A film by Steve James.
ABACUS: Small Enough to Jail, was a big hit at this year’s Toronto Film Festival. The documentary tells the injustice that the Sung Family—Chinese immigrants and owners of Abacus Federal Savings, a small community bank located in New York’s Chinatown –had to endure. Accused of mortgage fraud by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr.,Abacus becomes the only U.S. bank to face criminal charges in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The indictment and subsequent trial forces the Sung family to defend themselves and their bank’s legacy in the Chinatown community over the course of a five-year legal battle.
Featured Articles
We note the passing of many prominent individuals who played some role in U.S.-China affairs, whether in politics, economics or in helping people in one place understand the other.
Events
Ying Zhu looks at new developments for Chinese and global streaming services.
David Zweig examines China's talent recruitment efforts, particularly towards those scientists and engineers who left China for further study. U.S. universities, labs and companies have long brought in talent from China. Are such people still welcome?