Focusing on Challenges Faced by Chinese Americans in Turbulent Times, Committee of 100’s 2023 Annual Meeting Concludes in Silicon Valley

by admin · Published May 7, 2023 · Updated May 11, 2023

LAPost/San Jose, CA (May 07, 2023) – The 2023 annual meeting and dinner of “Committee of 100”, an internationally renowned and influential American Chinese elite group, will be held on the West Coast this year. The two-day annual meeting will be held in May Closing at Signia by Hilton in San Jose on the 6th.

Zhengyu “Z” Huang, the current president of the Committee of 100

California state assembly member Evan Low

California state assembly member Evan Low, Representative Ted Lieu and Judy Chu were invited to give keynote speeches at the opening ceremony, luncheon and dinner of the annual meeting respectively. Discussing the impact of the US policy on China on Asian Americans, they said that the current Asian-Pacific Americans in the United States have unprecedented status and influence. As long as they respond in unity, they can completely prevent the history of “hate” from repeating itself.

The theme of this year’s annual meeting is “Seeking Common Ground in Turbulent Times”, which aims to highlight the daunting challenges faced by Americans and Chinese Americans in the United States and internationally, and explore how Chinese communities and companies can deal with “Asian hatred” in the United States and the geopolitical tension between the United States and China. At the same time, C100 suggested what Chinese Americans can do for the current and future US-China economic cooperation and cross-border business ecosystem. It seeks not only to pinpoint the critical issues facing Chinese Americans today, but also to discover immediate solutions and action plans in a timely manner.

Gary Locke, Chairman of the Committee of 100

Gary Locke said in his speech at the dinner, “As Chinese Americans, we cherish the Chinese tradition and China’s contribution to world civilization for thousands of years, but we are Americans, cherish our American citizenship, and stand for the United States as the world’s civilization. Beacon of freedom and democracy around the world.” He looks forward to creating, nurturing, and growing important relationships within and outside the Chinese American community. A more positive and mutually beneficial future.”

Congressman Ted Lieu

In his keynote speech at the luncheon, Congressman Ted Lieu focused on the changes brought about by AI and the urgency of formulating relevant rules. Ted Lieu pointed out that AI has brought great challenges, which will benefit human beings but also bring potential harm. As a legislator, he believes that it is particularly important to formulate relevant regulations and policies. He also talked about the safety issues of AI self-driving technology that need to be improved, and the potential adverse impact of AI face recognition technology on specific communities. Ted Lieu pointed out: “Face recognition technology is not very accurate in identifying dark-skinned people. Like us Chinese here, there is a high chance of being misrecognized.” He is committed to taking measures to solve this situation so that ethnic minorities to avoid misjudgment. Ted Lieu also introduced some cutting-edge information topics of ChatGPT. In the end, he pointed out that discrimination against people of yellow race has a long history. Some xenophobic statements made by the previous government during the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the phenomenon of Asian hatred, and this government has put a heavy blow on hate crimes.

Congresswoman Judy Chu

In their speeches, Judy Chu and Ted Lieu mentioned that there has been prejudice, discrimination and hatred against the Chinese and the entire Asian community in the United States for a long time, but today is different. The Asian population has grown significantly across the country and has been valued by both parties; more and more Asians are participating in politics and exerting influence. Judy Chu said, “We will not let history repeat itself, we will make our voices louder and help more Asian-Pacific Americans get a seat on the parliamentary table.”

Panel 1: Raising our Voices: The Model Minority Myth and Anti-Asian Hate

Moderator: Lanhee J. Chen, Ph.D. – David and Diane Steffy Fellow in American Public Policy Studies of Hoover Institution

Columbia University Social Policy Professor Gao Qin

Panel 2: Disaggregated Data and the Chinese American: Joint Survey Findings with Columbia University

Moderator: Gordon Chang, Ph.D. – Olive H. Palmer Professor in Humanities and Professor of History of Stanford University

Our Place on the Mall: Working Toward a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History & Culture by speaker Jay Xu, Ph.D. (Right)- Director & CEO of Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

Panel 4: “Coopetition” Is Real Between the U.S. and China

Moderator: X. Rick Niu (Left) – President & CEO of Starr Strategic Holdings LLC

Working Towards a Better Future: A Fresh Look at Old Problems by Young Leaders

Community Outreach with Local FBI: A Roundtable with Bay Area FBI and Asian American Leaders

This year’s annual conference including: “Raising our Voices: The Model Minority Myth and Anti-Asian Hate”; Columbia University Social Policy Professor Gao Qin introduced Disaggregated Data and the Chinese American: Joint Survey Findings just released by C100 and Columbia University; U.S.-China Policy: Impact on Trade and Economics; “Coopetition” Is Real Between the U.S. and China and other panels, and “Working Towards a Better Future: A Fresh Look at Old Problems by Young Leaders” specially arranged for the new generation of Chinese Americans ” link.

Zhang Jianmin (Left), Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco

Gary Locke, Chairman of the Committee of 100, former U.S. Ambassador to China, Mark Takano, Federal Representative, Zhang Jianmin, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco, Noguchi Yasushi, Consul General of Japan in San Francisco, and others from politics, business, academia, medical care, art, etc. from all over the United States More than 500 well-known Chinese elites from all walks of life, as well as experts and scholars on US-China affairs attended the awards dinner on the evening of May 5.

Ming Hsieh (Right) present award to Peter Li and Jean Cui

Walter Wang (Right) present award to Ted Lieu

Anla Cheng (Right) presents award to Janet Yang

Chinese American scientists Peter Li and Jean Cui, who won the 38th annual National Invention Award for their invention of the targeted drug Xalkori for the treatment of lung cancer, won this year’s Award for Humanity in Science & Technology; Tony Xu, co-founder of the food delivery platform DoorDash, won the “Award for Business Model Innovation”; Federal Chinese Congressman Ted Lieu won the Award for Public Service; Janet Yang, the first Asian chairman of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organizer of the Oscars, won the “Award for Lifetime Achievement in Arts & Culture”.

From Left: Janet Yang, Ted Lieu, Gary Locke, Judy Chu, Lily Chen, Helen Chen

Zhengyu “Z” Huang, the current president of the Committee of 100 who served as the managing director of Intel Corporation, John Chiang, the former California Treasurer, Dave Min state senator of California, Mike Fong state assembly member of California, Otto Lee of Santa Clara County, Saratoga Deputy Mayor Yan Zhao, Sonoma City Councilor Jack Ding, Monterey Park City Councilor Yvonne Yiu from Southern California, Torrance School District Board of Education Betty Lieu, Committee of 100 founding board member Lily Chen, Committee of 100 member Stewart Kowh , Ming Hsieh, Charlie Zhang who joined the Committee of 100 this year, and Marina Tse, Paula Madison, etc. attended this year’s annual meeting. (By: Richard Ren)