USCI launches US-China Today, a student-driven web magazine

Text-messenging, music, real estate, transportation, and environmental challenges are just a few of the topics covered in the inaugural issue of US-China Today, a new publication from the USC U.S.-China Institute. The magazine went public on the web today at uschina.usc.edu.

US-China Today is a student-driven publication. Like USCI, the magazine focuses on the multidimensional and evolving U.S.-China relationship and on significant trends in contemporary China. The magazine offers coverage of and commentary on a wide range of political, economic, social, and cultural issues.

Clayton Dube, USCI’s associate director, explained that US-China Today is a non-partisan publication. It aims to offer carefully reported feature stories that are accurate, balanced, and compelling. In the commentary section (to be unveiled in the second issue), the magazine will offer the views of scholars, journalists, businesspeople, agency and non-governmental specialists, and policy-makers.

A feature of the magazine that is proving addictive is the “daily update.” The magazine staff reads widely and posts summaries of articles published by news organizations, think tanks, and government agencies. Links to the original sources are provided.

The magazine is student-driven. With guidance from Dube, Linda Truong, and other members of the editorial board, students from a wide variety of disciplines have worked to develop and report stories, to edit them, and to illustrate them with images, video, and audio. USC China studies faculty, including Mike Chinoy, longtime Beijing-bureau chief for CNN will aid students in identifying stories and strengthening their journalism skills. In the months ahead, students will also receive mentoring from veteran journalists and advice from US-China relations specialists.

In the near future, US-China Today will feature contributions from students at USCI’s partner institutions in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Among the initiatives underway is a mutual examination of how America is perceived in China and how China is perceived in the United States.

The inaugural issue features the following feature stories:

OMG! LOL! PRC! – text messaging is used by lovers, by businesspeople, but also by organizers of various sorts and by individuals to express their opinions to a wide audience

China’s Booming Property Market – the US property market may be in a serious downturn, but prices continue to rise in China

Chinese Musical Hybrid Wins Fans – having won a large following in China, the 12 Girls Band is now in the US, helping PBS raise money and filling venues

Continuity the Theme of the 17th Party Congress – a review of the just-completed Beijing gathering which identified leaders and policy directions for the next five years

John King Fairbank: Present at the Creation – a profile and evaluation of the so-called dean of American China studies

Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink – increasing demand, pollution, and official corruption have made clean water a rarity

Mending “Made in China” – a look at what is needed to ensure product safety and quality and to restore confidence in Chinese-made goods

Breathing in Beijing – what is being done to ensure that athletes will be able to perform at their best in Beijing ordinarily polluted environment

Coming to America: Chinese Migration – 900,000 Chinese have legally migrated to the US since 1980, this article examines their motivations and experiences

The Need for Speed – history and rising car ownership combine to torment Beijing commuters

A special note
US-China Today’s inaugural issue is dedicated to Matthew Charles Ferrara. Ferrara died last Friday while serving in Afghanistan. He had just turned 24. His brother, Damon, is a USC student and a US-China Today staff writer.

An invitation
Students interested in developing journalism skills and in exploring US-China relations from a variety of angles may apply to join the staff. Internships are also available for students interested in multimedia production or in the operations/business side of the publication. Please contact Nancy Chen, US-China Today’s managing editor, or Craig Stubing, US-China Today’s multimedia editor, with your résumé.

Academics, journalists, businesspeople, officials, and others are invited to contribute original essays for possible publication in our commentary section. Please contact Connor Gants, deputy managing editor, for writing guidelines.

US-China Today needs financial support. Contributions of all sizes are welcome. Checks (payable to the University of Southern California) may be sent to the USC U.S.-China Institute. You can use your credit card to donate, by visiting https://giveto.usc.edu/pledge.asp. Please be sure to direct your gift to US-China Today/USC U.S.-China Institute. To discuss sponsorship or other support options, please call Clayton Dube at 213-821-4382.

To find out more about US-China Today and to read the inaugural issue, please visit uschina.usc.edu.