Category Archives: Cornell

U.S. and China Establish Reciprocal Visa Validity Agreements to Strengthen Economic, Educational and Cultural Collaborations

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China's leading retail business conglomerate the BHG Beijing Hualian Hypermarket Delegation Visits Wegman's Iconic American Flagship Pittsford Store and are welcomed by Mary Ho, President of the China Millennium Council, H. Oliver Hamlin IV, Greater Rochester Asian American Pacific Islander Leadership Delegate and Larry Damore, Senior Vice President of Wegmans Food Markets headquartered in Upstate Rochester, New York.

U.S. President Obama traveled to China and met with China President Xi Jinping to effect a reciprocal visa validity arrangement to broaden and fortify economic and people-to-people ties. Both countries mutually agreed to increase the validity of short-term tourist and business visas issued to each other’s citizens from one to ten years – the longest validity possible under U.S. law – and increase the validity of student and exchange visas from one to five years.  The U.S began issuing visas in accordance with the new reciprocal agreement on November 12, 2014. The visa accord will enhance trade, investment, and business ties by facilitating travel and ease access to both economies.  Extended validity visas for students and exchange visitors will foster the bonds between U.S. and China and facilitate travel for outstanding students from around the world who attend U.S. institutions of higher education.  As a result of this arrangement, the U.S. hopes to welcome a growing share of eligible Chinese travelers, inject billions in the U.S. economy and create demand to support hundreds of thousands of additional U.S. jobs.

Welcoming a Growing Share of Chinese Travelers

  • China is the fastest-growing outbound tourism market in the world, and in 2013, 1.8 million Chinese travelers visited the U.S., contributing $21.1 billion to the U.S. economy and supporting more than 109,000 American jobs
  • Chinese travelers consistently rank the United States as their most-desired travel destination, yet less than 2 percent of total Chinese travelers come to the U.S.
  • Chinese travelers cite ease of visa policies as the second most important factor in deciding where to travel, behind only cost
  • A competitive visa policy will help U.S. meet projections that suggest as many as 7.3 million Chinese travelers will come to the U.S. by 2021, contributing nearly $85 billion a year to the economy and supporting up to 440,000 U.S. jobs

Strengthening Bonds Between Chinese and American Students

  • 28 percent of all foreign students and exchange visitors in the U.S. originate from China
  • Chinese students in the U.S. spent $8 billion in 2013, an increase of nearly 24 percent over the previous year
  • Visa accord will allow American and Chinese students to more easily travel back and forth, making foreign study a more attractive option, increasing opportunities for people-to-people ties, and boosting mutual understanding

Extending Visa Validity to Increase the Number of Chinese Travelers Coming to the U.S. and Support American Jobs. In order to support America’s most important and largest services export – tourism.  Chinese travelers persistently rank the U.S. as their top desired travel destination, but only slightly more than 1.8 percent of total outbound travelers go to the U.S.  Chinese travelers cite ease of visa policies as the second most important factor in deciding where to travel, behind only cost.  A competitive visa policy is needed to secure the U.S. as the chosen destination for millions of Chinese travelers

Global growth of outbound travel from China represents an unprecedented opportunity to foster job creation across the country.  China is the fastest growing outbound tourism market in the world, and Chinese visitors have accounted for 20 percent of the growth in overseas travel to the U.S. since 2008.  In 2013, 1.8 million Chinese travelers visited the U.S., contributing $21.1 billion to the American economy and supporting more than 109,000 U.S. jobs.  As incomes in China continue to rise, the number of Chinese citizens able to afford international travel and tourism is projected to more than double over the next few years, reaching the hundreds of millions.  Close to 7.3 million Chinese are projected to travel to the U.S. by 2021, contributing nearly $85 billion a year to the economy and supporting 440,000 jobs.

Increasing business travel will support the U.S. President’s goal of increasing exports. Increasing visa validity for U.S. citizens traveling to China makes it easier to respond to market and commercial opportunities in China, helping to boost U.S. exports, foster increased trade ties, and improve commercial linkages between U.S. and Chinese firms.  In the near term, extending visa validity for Chinese business travelers will also help meet the President’s Select USA goal of boosting inward investment into the United States as the U.S. travel and tourism industry commits to making upfront investments in new hotels and other infrastructure in anticipation of a rise in Chinese inbound travel.

NBCUniversal Chief Diversity Officer Craig Robinson Advocates AAJA Leadership for Mainstream Media Platforms

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NBCUniversal Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Craig Robinson and AAJA Media Institute W.K. Kellogg Foundation Fellow Mary Ho Discuss the Emergence of the Fast Growing Asian American Pacific Islander Consumer Media Population in America, Emphasizing His Own Cultural Heritage as a Chinese Asian American.

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist José Antonio Vargas and Actor Maulik Pancholy Welcome AAJA Media Institute Fellows

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AAJA Media Institute W.K. Kellogg Foundation Fellow Mary Ho and White House Initiative Asian American Pacific Islander AAPI Commissioner and Actor Maulik Pancholy Reminisce Their Camaraderie at the 25th Annual Scholarship & Awards Gala at the National Convention in Washington, D.C.

2014 AAJA Media Institute Fellows, President of Asian Chamber of Commerce Linda Toyota, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist José Antonio Vargas, China Millennium Council President Mary Ho and YALSA Director-at-Large Candice Mack at the 25th AAJA Annual Scholarship & Awards Gala

Asian American Journalists Association proudly celebrated their 25th Annual Scholarship and Gala with keynote speakers Pulitzer Prize award winning journalist José Antonio Vargas and Presidential Advisory Council Commissioner and actor Maulik Pancholy.

José Antonio Vargas spoke of his dilemma of his recent detainment at the Texas border as an undocumented immigrant and coming out of the closet as a gay man to his grandmother. He is a highly acclaimed and controversial journalist and documentary film writer, producing visual and editorial commentary impacting AIDS and immigration policies in the U.S. Vargas’ national and international appearances include Nightline, The O’Reilly Factor and The Colbert Report.

Maulik Pancholy’s accolades include the popular roles he portrayed as Jonathan in the award winning comedy tv show 30 Rock and Showtime’s award winning Weeds as Sanjay. His recent appointment as Commissioner on the President’s Advisory Council of the White House Initiative on Asian American Pacific Islanders brings to focus the social disparities and stereotypes AAPI still encounter and address the issue of bullying in new social media.

AAJA also launched their inaugural Media Institute Fellows Program led by renowned media experts Pamela Wu, Emmy nominated former news anchor & television host; and Ellen Lee, freelance journalist and former staff writer at the San Francisco Chronicle. Distinguished speakers included Jan Yanehiro, Emmy award winning national broadcast journalist and author; Sharon Pian Chan, associate opinions and digital editor of the Seattle Times; Cefann Kim, general assignment, live newscast reporter, broadcast journalism NYC; and Chris Nguyen, anchor and breaking news reporter, Sacramento CA. The Media Institute Fellows Program was sponsored by Gannett, General Motors, and funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

U.S. Department of Interior and White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Salutes New Commissioners

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U.S. Department of Interior and White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Host Ceremony of Newly Appointed Commissioners on President Obama's Asian American and Pacific Islander Advisory Council Sworn-In by U.S Circuit Judge Sri Srinivasan.

Maulik Pancholy, Actor 30 Rock and Newly Appointed Commissioner of the WHIAAPI President’s Advisory Council and Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President, Emulate “I Am Beyond” Theme Capturing the Aspirations of the American Spirit and How Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander Descent Have Always Sought to Excel Beyond the Challenges that have Limited Equal Opportunity in America.

The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Commerce Business Roundtable

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Audrey Buehring, Deputy Director for the White House Initiative on Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders and Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President Discuss Meeting the Needs of the Asian American Pacific Islanders Businesses and Entrepreneurs Held at the U.S. Department of Commerce Business Roundtable in Washington, D.C.

Meeting of the Minds, Cornell Alumni Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President and Kenneth Jarrett, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai AMCHAM Cross Paths at the WHIAAPI U.S. Department of Commerce Reception in Washington, D.C.

National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship ACE Leadership Delegation Convene with Congressional Leaders at The White House

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Krystal Ka'ai, Executive Director of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, Representative (D-CA 27th District) and Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President Discuss Business, Healthcare and Immigration Concerns Impacting the Asian American Pacific Islander Communities nation-wide.

The National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship ACE Leadership Delegates assembled for their inaugural roundtable meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., undaunted by the recent federal government furlough, and successfully engaged dialogues with U.S. congressional leaders and White House officials. ACE serves as the national voice representing the multitude interests of the Asian American Pacific Islander business community, champion advocate and resource for the regional and local chambers of commerce, business associations and professional organizations in the U.S.

Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President and Bill Imada, Chairman of the National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship ACE and Chief Collaboration Officer of IW Group Inc., Convene with U.S. Congressional Leaders in Washington, D.C.

Ambassador Cui Tiankai Honors U.S. Joint-Venture Innovation Leaders for Modern China

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China Millennium Council President Mary Ho and Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai Reminisce Earlier Autumnal Visit to Upstate Rochester New York including Pumpkin Highlights at Wegmans Food Markets in Pittsford and the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies CIMS at Rochester Institute of Technology

China President Xi Jinping’s newly appointed U.S Ambassador Cui Tiankai conveyed celebratory congratulations for the 40th anniversary of the earliest exchanges between China and the U.S. dating back to 1973, opening doors for long-term investments, advancing partnerships and promoting mutual good will. Notably, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and former U.S. Secretary of State, Dr. Henry Kissinger and U.S Trade Representative Ambassador Carla Hills shared their intriguing perspectives and modern insights.

Dr. Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State and Mary Ho, President of the China Millennium Council Enjoy Their Camaraderie at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the first exchange between China and U.S. in 1973 arranged by the National Committee on United States - China Relations

Two leading China – U.S. joint-venture industry leaders were recognized and given tribute who included Alcoa CEO and Chairman Klaus Kleinfeld and IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond, whose modern stewardships in China will through their innovative technologies continue to enrich China’s modern growth and development.

Alcoa is the largest foreign investor in China’s aluminum industry and was named Top Green Company in China. Since 1993, Alcoa Bohai Aluminum Industries Company is China’s largest multinational company in the aluminum industry and invested more than $800 million. Alcoa’s founder Charles Martin Hall in 1928, founded the Harvard-Yenching Institute and supports scholarly studies between western and Asian countries, in particular China.

Mary Ho. China Millennium Council President and Klaus Kleinfeld, CEO and Chairman of Alcoa Inc., the Largest Foreign Investor in China's Aluminum Industry Discuss Sustainabiity and Best Practices for China

IMAX is expanding the modern movie-going experience in China and fostering collaboration with China’s film studios, bringing depth to the cultural cinematic interchange. Early on in 2001, IMAX engaged the Chinese movie-goer experience by providing a unique cultural exchange media platform and playing a key leadership role into the development of a large theatre network. IMAX also in conjunction with Chinese film studios brings the best of Chinese cinema within the country and throughout vast audiences globally.

Another renowned U.S. joint-venture pioneer, Walmart China opened its doors in 1996 and introduced to the Chinese the largest retail consumer store ranging from farm-fresh groceries to the emerging e-commerce retail business for their Chinese customers. Presently Walmart operates 396 stores in China and created more than 100,000 direct job opportunities with a vital sourcing presence in China and critical partnerships with 20,000 suppliers throughout China and internationally. Dedicated to serving their local communities, Walmart was awarded as one of the Top 10 Oustanding Corporate Social Responsibility Cases  of Chinese Enterprises by Business Value, a leading business journal in China.

Maggie Sans, Walmart Vice President of International Corporate Affairs and Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President Contemplate Chinese Customers' Preference Shopping On-Line Versus a Tactile Atelier Experience

 

Asian American Leadership Heralds Global Business & Humanitarian Community Impact

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Social Entrepreneur Pamela Roberts Levitt, China Millennium Council President Mary Ho, and Wegmans Food Markets Senior Vice President Larry Damore & wife Gail Damore Celebrate the Asian American Global Business and Community Leadership in Greater Rochester Upstate New York Region

Asian American Pacific Islanders National Leadership Efforts Honored by The White House

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Howard Koh, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Secretary of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Mike Honda, U.S. Congressman (D-CA) and Mary Ho, President of China Millennium Council gather to Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Month of May in Washington, D.C.

Nearly 1,000 Asian American Pacific Islanders AAPI national, state and local community leaders gathered to celebrate the AAPI Month of May in Washington, D.C. and was honored for their efforts and contribution to American society by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) introduced Vice President Biden as he opened his remarks by paying tribute to the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye. Vice President Biden addressed the AAPI leaders and community by stressing the critical significance of embodying Senator Inouye’s fervent legacy and values of modern equality, justice and opportunities for all Americans. Moreover, Biden emphasized the importance of how modern immigration reform to the AAPI community can only strengthen the future and foundation of the American economy.

 

Diane Yu, Esq., Deputy President of NYU Leads Efforts for Innovative International Higher Educational Programs

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Mary Ho, President of China Frontier and Diane Yu, Esq., Deputy President of New York University Meet to Discuss Developing Global Competencies in an Ever-Changing Global Society.

Upstate New York Rochester natives, Mary Ho, China Frontier President and Diane Yu, Esq., Deputy President of New York University recently met to discuss the emerging role of how developing global competencies are critical to the success of higher educational learning in a global economy. Diane Yu’s father, world renowned cardiologist Paul N. Yu, M.D., pioneered the modern medical discipline of cardiology and served as president of the American Heart Association and was Chief of Cardiology at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

As Deputy President, Yu works to ensure the effectiveness of the entire University Leadership Team. She is the founder of NYU’s Women’s Leadership Forum and is the University’s Senior Executive for the Office of Equal Opportunity and Office of Compliance and Risk Management. Yu is the appointed Executive Director of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program, a special university student educational and enrichment program which operates in the United Arab Emirates, formed as a partnership between NYU and the government of Abu Dhabi. She also is Executive Director of the NYU Abu Dhabi Summer Academy, an intensive college preparatory program for Emirati high school students.

Along with NYU’s campuses in London, New York and Abu Dhabi, NYU Shanghai is newly established as a comprehensive research university with a liberal arts and science college in China’s financial capital. For NYU, the creation of NYU Shanghai is another major step in the evolution of NYU as the first global network university — standing with NYU New York and NYU Abu Dhabi as a degree-granting portal campus.  The global network provides a new architecture for the University, an organic integrated system permitting faculty and students to move easily from within the system to pursue their scholarly interests.

John Sexton, Esq., President of New York University states, “… In the 21st century, NYU is evolving from being, in the words of its founder, Albert Gallatin, ‘in and of the city’ to being ‘in and of the world.’ New York and Shanghai enjoy a natural affinity as world capitals; as vibrant, ambitious, and forward-looking centers of commerce and culture; as magnets for people of talent. As we did in Abu Dhabi, here in Shanghai we have found visionary partners, and our joint effort to create NYU Shanghai emerges out of a common belief in the indispensible value of higher education and in the special opportunities that can be created when the world’s greatest cities join forces.  This will be a great university and a great partnership.” NYU Shanghai’s first class of undergraduate students will enter in September 2013.

Jeffrey S. Lehman, president emeritus of Cornell University and dean of the University of Michigan Law School, has been named Vice Chancellor of NYU Shanghai. As Vice Chancellor, he is the Chief Executive of NYU Shanghai, in charge of all academic and administrative operations. NYU President John Sexton said, “It would be difficult to imagine  a better vice chancellor for NYU Shanghai than Jeff Lehman…” Since 2007, Vice Chancellor Lehman has been serving as the Chancellor and Founding Dean of the Peking University School of Transnational Law, the first school in China to teach an American law JD curriculum. Recently President Lehman received the “Friendship Award,” China’s highest award for foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China’s economic and social development.