Talking Points, July 2-16, 2008

Talking Points
July 2 - July 16, 2008

"We talk about U.S.-China relations, we talk at the government level, but it is really the relations between the American people and the Chinese people that really make the difference."

-- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaking after visiting earthquake devastated Sichuan Province on June 29, 2008

Direct personal ties between people, civic and academic organizations, and businesses have never been greater. Easier travel and instant electronic communications have accompanied and facilitated the expansion of trade, cultural, academic, and social links. Earlier this month the first group of Chinese leisure travelers came to the U.S., visiting New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. By chance, the U.S.-China Institute's teachers' study group encountered and spoke with 34 of these travelers. And, of course, members of both groups had and are having direct and sometimes profound personal experiences with people and institutions in the other's countries. Our "

on an average day" series offers some information about these ties. Click here for information on Chinese visitors to the U.S. and here for information on Americans traveling to China. This is a point that U.S. Ambassador Randt emphasized in his USCI presentation in April. Click here to read or watch it.

Movies, of course, can have a strong impact on what people think about other places and peoples. They can do many things including stimulating interest in finding out more or asserting negative and inaccurate stereotypes. And they can be big business. US-China Today's Nancy Chen interviewed the director of Kung-fu Panda to learn what his team sought to do. The film is doing well at both American and Chinese box offices. Chen's article and many others are available at http://uschina.usc.edu.

Not all attempts at direct exchanges yield actual contact. Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives were rebuffed in their attempt yesterday to meet in Beijing with Chinese human rights lawyers. "The people we were supposed to have dinner with all got stopped," Christopher Smith (R-NJ) told the New York Times. The "daily updates" section of US-China Today offers summaries of successful and defeated contacts along with other news.

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Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of gallery shows and museum exhibitions to learn more about China. Please see the notes below and our calendar pages to get additional information.

We love feedback and hope you'll write to us at uschina@usc.edu.

Best wishes,
The USC U.S.-China Institute
http://china.usc.edu

USC Events

06/28/2008 - 07/18/2008: 2008 California NCTA Summer Study Tour to China and Japan
Led by Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute, participants of the 21-day tour will visit several of China and Japan's most interesting destinations.

07/28/2008 - 08/07/2008: 2008 Summer Residential Seminar at USC
USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Currently accepting applications
For more information please contact Miranda Ko at  mirandak@usc.edu.
An intensive nine-day equivalent of our "East Asia and New Media in My Classroom" professional development seminar for K-12 teachers employed outside of the greater Los Angeles area.

California Events

07/13/2008: Buried With the Sky
Time: 1:30PM
Location: Bowers Museum, 2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Cost: Free with paid museum admission and to members; Lecture only $8
Bowers Museum presents Dr. E.C. Krupp's talk about astronomy and the tombs of ancient China.

North America Events:  

07/08/2008: China's Natural Products Regulations Webinar
Time: 11:00 am-12:15 pm EST / 8:00 am-9:15 am PST
Location: Your computer
Cost: $75
Participate in a webinar on china's natural products market and regulatory environment.

Exhibitions: 

03/06/2008 - 07/27/2008: Chinaman's Chance: Views of the Chinese American Experience
Pacific Asia Museum
46 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena , CA 91101
Cost: $7 for adults, $5 for students/seniors
While the experience of being of Chinese heritage and living in America is unique to each individual, this exhibition will investigate the similarities and dissimilarities of these experiences. 

01/29/2008 - 09/07/2008: The Shape of Things: Chinese and Japanese Art from the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection
Asia Society and Museum
725 Park Avenue , New York, New York
Cost: Free
Phone: 212-517-ASIA
This exhibition of ceramics, metalworks, sculpture, and painting demonstrates that a depth of information can be revealed through the careful observation and study of the form of an object. 

06/27/2008 - 09/21/2008: Power and Glory: Court Arts of the Ming Dynasty
Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin Street (between Fulton and McAllister Streets), San Francisco, CA 94102
Cost: Cost varies (see website for details)
This exhibition will explore the glories of the Ming dynasty imperial court.

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.

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We provide information about China-related events as a community service. If you would like your event considered for inclusion in the USCI calendar, please click here to submit event details.

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USC U.S. – China Institute
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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