USC and China in the News, November and December 2011

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December 30, 2011: Chongqing Civilization Net

An article noted that USC students and faculty visited Bishan County (part of Chongqing Municipality) to examine economic development there. USC Marshall’s Helen Pitts was quoted as saying that the county seat was too developed to be a county seat. She said that she wouldn’t mind retiring there.

December 28, 2011: Xinhua News Agency

An extensive report discussed a meeting between USC students and faculty and those of Chongqing University. Top Chongqing University and Chongqing municipal officials participated in the meeting. Clayton Dube led the USC group. Originally published by Chongqing University Net.

December 19, 2011: Singtao Daily (星岛日报)

An article about China's military discussed USC U.S.-China Institute's US-China Today's infographic on China and Taiwan's militaries. Institute director Clayton Dube's work on US-China-Taiwan ties was also discussed.

December 16, 2011: Huffington Post

Martin Kaplan, director of the Norman Lear Center of the USC Annenberg School, published an op-ed discussing Christian Bale’s experience trying to visit blind lawyer Chen Guangcheng. The actor was struck by men blocking access to Chen’s home. Kaplan wrote, “The only thing the Chinese could have done worse with Christian Bale would have been to pepper spray him.”

December 5, 2011: Voice of America

A story focused on Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers, noting that while the play wasn’t new it has just received its China premiere. The play was co-written by Geoffrey Cowan of the USC Annenberg School and Leroy Aarons. Cowan was asked in Shanghai about whether or not developing countries should have different standards for free speech. He said, “We were a relatively poor country, against the rich British and the rich French, but we decided this was right for us… And, secondly, I said let's forget about China and the U.S., and let's think about South Africa - let's take a different country that is struggling with these issues, and do we think that they should have these freedoms or not?”

December 5, 2011: China Financial Network

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was cited in an article on American aid to China.

December 4, 2011: Liangnan Metropolitan News

A report highlighted the fact that USC Thornton violin professor Suli Xue performed in China. The report noted that Xue was originally with the China Central Symphony Orchestra before coming to the US.

December 3, 2011: Los Angeles Times

An article focused on performances “Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers,” a play co-authored Geoffrey Cowan of the USC Annenberg School, in Beijing.The play is about the publication of the Pentagon Papers and the ensuing struggle between the press and the government. “It speaks very well of China that they have embraced this tour,” Cowan said.

December 3, 2011: New York Times

An article looked at the China tour of Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers, a play co-written by USC Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism’s Geoffrey Cowan. The play has attracted sold-out audiences, but in Beijing, officials chose to cancel post-performance audience discussions with Cowan.

December 2, 2011: Wall Street Journal

A blog entry noted that USC U.S.-China Institute’s US-China Today published “Manpower vs. Money,” a handy infographic on military strength and spending.

November 21, 2011: New York Times

Nicholas Cull of the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism was quoted in an article about U.S. government-sponsored cultural missions to China and elsewhere. Cull said, “Since 9/11, the U.S. has been in a very risk-averse position… It’s gone into a shell.”

November 18, 2011: The Diplomat

The blog reported on the USC US-China Institute’s Assignment: China documentary project and noted that the first segment was available at the institute website. The article noted that institute senior fellow Mike Chinoy reports the stories of the first American correspondents to be based in China following the establishment of diplomatic relations. 

November 17, 2011: CNN

In an op-ed, Rob Ashgar, a fellow of the USC Center on Public Diplomacy, discussed the challenges China and India face as they advance economically and concludes that Americans, if they focus on American strengths such as innovation and exploiting expanding markets.

November 17, 2011: Huffington Post

Nake M. Kamrany and George Milanovic of the USC Department of Economics published an essay on China’s newest 5-year economic plan. It closes with an emphasis on China’s efforts to move away from fossil fuels, “China is one of world's largest consumers of fossil fuels and by restructuring its energy needs it will cause a serious shift in global markets away from traditional energy powerhouses such as OPEC to more environmentally friendly energy sources, whether they be based in Hong Kong, Silicon Valley or Frankfurt.”

November 16, 2011: Los Angeles Times

An article reported that a play co-written by Geoffrey Cowan of the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism will tour China. The play, Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers¸ will be performed by the LA. Theatre Works group in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. Cowan will speak to audiences and students in conjunction with the play.

November 16, 2011: Forbes

Baizhu Chen of the USC Marshall School of Business published an op-ed on American politicians criticism of Chinese currency and trade policies. Chen wrote, “Washington’s reaction represents a strategy based on fear to generate votes by pointing a finger at others. It does not look for a solution; instead it seeks a scapegoat. It’s a strategy that never worked in reducing America’s trade deficits or in bringing back jobs…. It may even backfire, as China is now strong enough to retaliate against America, which could lead to a trade war.”

November 11, 2011: China Daily

USC alum Chuang Ching was interviewed for an article about multinational companies moving their research and development operations to China. Chuang heads Alcatel Lucent’s research in China. Chuang was quoted, "The government's Five-Year Plan is focused on innovation and a very important part of that is incentives to encourage research and development investment not just for domestic but for multinational companies too, relating to costs and business tax incentives to set up research and development centers."

November 7, 2011: Los Angeles Times

The USC U.S.-China Institute’s Clayton Dube was quoted in a story about China contributing to the Eurozone bailout fund. Dube said, "This is a moment inviting bold action, a symbolic act ultimately more important in defining China's international place than staging the Olympics or Expo… [but] I do not expect such bold action.... China's leaders aren't inclined toward such bold steps."

November 4, 2011: Xinhua News Agency

An article cited a report about USC Chinese Students and Scholar Association arranging shopping and activity trips for students to the San Gabriel Valley. A Toyota dealer sponsorship makes the trips possible. The first such trip is Nov. 13.

November 2, 2011: Xinhua News Agency

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute and Stanley Rosen of the USC Dornsife College were quoted in an article about the expanding availability of Chinese cultural products in the U.S. Dube noted that food was an early and successful cultural import, pointing out that few towns are without Chinese restaurants. Rosen noted that martial arts films, first from Hong Kong, but later from China have proven popular. Rosen noted that China now has a number of prominent film directors and actors.