East Asia Pacific Update Adjusting to a Changing World the World Bank, April 13
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HINA NSIGHT C Fostering business and culturalI harmony between China and the U.S. VOL. 14 NO. 5 May 2015 Major General William S. Chen, highest-ranking Chinese-American to serve in the U.S. Army By Greg Hugh Major General William S. Chen (retired) in World War II with the 14th Air Force Alumnus. Driving in China, p. 3 recently presented an autobiographical (Flying Tigers). He later became an airline As he began his presentation, Chen account of his life, incorporating some executive and aviation consultant. stated that the objective of his presentation parallels with those of his father. The was to share the experiences of his father presentation was co-sponsored by and himself, who both worked in career Peking University and Tsinghua Alumni fields rarely pursued by Chinese Americans: Associations. The presentation was civil and military aviation and missiles and delivered in English and was held on the weapons development. He would provide campus of the University of Minnesota. insights on the challenges they faced and The meeting room was filled to capacity his views on leadership. He aimed to and included a multigenerational and promote an understanding of the legacy of ethnically mixed audience. progress and generate interest in relating to Chen has a distinguished record of and reminiscing about our own experiences ethical leadership. He retired from the U. from the 1930s to the present. Doing business, p. 6 S. Army with the rank of major general after Highlights Chen revealed: While his serving on active duty from June 1961 to father was born in the U.S. and was referred September 1993. When he was promoted in to as an ABC (American Born Chinese), he October 1989, at age 49, to major general, (the son) was born in Shanghai. Therefore, he became the first Chinese-American of the younger Chen rearranged the letters and two-star rank in the U.S. Army. referred to himself as a CBA, Chinese Born The major general is a third-generation American. He also noted other similarities Chinese-American. His father, Chen Hong- Major General William S. Chen (Retired) - their education; their involvement with Mon, born in Columbus, Ohio, was an the F.F. Fraternity, the first Chinese student aviation pioneer who graduated from the Chen (the son) received a Master of fraternity that was founded in 1910; their University of Michigan in Aeronautical Science in Engineering from the University career paths that were rooted in aviation, Engineering in 1932. He also was a pilot of Michigan in 1961, and an MBA from military service in foreign countries and, for the U.S. Mail Service, a commercial Auburn University in 1970. He also finally, careers in the private aviation sector. airline pilot who flew the Hump (name attended the Air Command & Staff College, Although there were many similarities in Chinese watercolorist, p.8 given to the eastern end of the Himalayan Defense Systems Management College and their lives, Chen also noted the differences. Mountains by Allied pilots in the Second the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. While his father graduated from the college World War) delivering supplies to the In 2014, the University of Michigan named of hard knocks, troops, and a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot him Distinguished Aerospace Engineering continues on page 10 East Asia Pacific update adjusting to a changing world The World Bank, April 13 SINGAPORE – Economic growth will “Despite slightly slower growth in East revenues. In Indonesia, the net impact on Chinese inventions, p. 14 ease slightly in developing countries in Asia, the region will still account for one- growth will depend on how much a decline East Asia and Pacific this year, even as the third of global growth, twice the combined there will be for its coal and gas exports. region benefits from lower oil prices and a contribution of all other developing The headwinds facing the world continued economic recovery in developed regions,” said Axel van Trotsenburg, World economy continue to pose risks to East In This Issue economies, according to the East Asia Bank East Asia and Pacific regional vice Asia’s globally integrated economies. Pacific Economic Update released today president. “Lower oil prices will boost The recovery in high-income countries by the World Bank. domestic demand in most countries in the continues to be slow and uneven, and a The developing economies of East Asia region and provide policy makers a unique downturn in the eurozone and Japan would Arts & Culture 8-9 are projected to grow by 6.7 percent in 2015 opportunity to push fiscal reforms that will weaken global trade. Higher U.S. interest Business 6, 12 and 2016, slightly down from 6.9 percent raise revenues and reorient public spending rates and an appreciating U.S. dollar, Chinese Inventions 14 in 2014. China’s growth is expected to toward infrastructure and other productive along with diverging monetary policy Commentary 13 moderate to around 7 percent in the next uses. These reforms can improve East paths across advanced economies, could Genealogy 15 two years compared with 7.4 percent in Asia’s competitiveness and help the region raise borrowing costs, generate financial 2014. Growth in the rest of developing East retain its status as the world’s economic volatility and reduce capital flows to East History 4-5 Asia is expected to rise by half a percentage growth engine.” Asia. The continued strengthening of the News 1-3, 7, 14 point, to 5.1 percent this year, largely driven Low global oil prices will benefit U.S. dollar against other major currencies Opinion 10 by domestic demand — thanks to upbeat most developing countries in East Asia, also could hurt highly dollarized economies People 1, 10-11 consumer sentiment and falling oil prices especially Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, such as Cambodia and Timor-Leste. Pronouncements 2 — in the large Southeast Asian economies. Thailand, and the Pacific island countries. “East Asia Pacific has thrived despite an Several smaller economies, especially But the region’s net fuel exporters, including unsteady global recovery from the financial commodity exporters such as Mongolia, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, will see crisis, but will see lower growth. slower growth and lower government continues on page 4 PAGE 2 / May 2015 pronouncements chinainsight.info Publisher’s Prouncements CHINAINSIGHT Publisher: Greetings: Gregory J. Hugh [email protected] A sure sign that spring has arrived is Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotan to beings and patched the sky, should be Manager of Operations/ how my body reacts to the pollen that is receive a leadership award (page 11). considered the mother of the Chinese Circulation: circulating in the air, so I sure hope that Although not recognized as a major nation. Her birthday, the 10th day of the Richard He not many of you are having to deal with holiday in China, Mother’s Day also third month of the lunar calendar, should [email protected] this annual malady but are experiencing is celebrated there in May. Many be taken as the Chinese Mother’s Day. the more pleasurable aspects of the children would buy carnations for their Whenever and however you choose Staff Writers: season. mothers as most think that carnations to honor your mother, China Insight Greg Hugh Also, marking the return of spring are the flower for mothers. However, wishes all mothers, Chinese and [email protected] is the Festival of Nations and the in China, there is another special flower otherwise, a “Happy Mother’s Day,” in celebration of Asian-Pacific American for mothers, the daylily. According to pinyin, mu qin jie kuai le (母親節快樂). Elaine Dunn Heritage Month, which all takes place legends, if the expectant mother wears Last, but not least, we invite you to [email protected] in the month of May. See details on a daylily on her chest, she would give complete the short survey on this page to these events elsewhere in the paper on birth to a baby boy. In the old days help us provide content that better reflect Contributors: the back page. people believed that boys would carry your interests. We’d love to hear what Madeline Christensen [email protected] Also, only a few more days remain to on the family line. Nowadays, you your two top articles are and what you’d see the “Jewish Refugees in Shanghai” simply won’t find a young woman “in like China Insight to cover in the future. Raymond Lum exhibit now on display at the Sabes a family way” (pregnant) wearing a [email protected] Jewish Community Center, St. Louis daylily. Instead, mothers in mainland Sincerely Park (page 5). The 14th annual Bob also get carnations (sometimes mixed Gregory J. Hugh Chang Wang and Kim Griffin “Building U.S.-China with roses or other flowers) from their [email protected] Bridges” lecture will be held on May 5 children on Mother’s Day. (page 7). Another school of researchers has Clara Wang We also would like to congratulate other suggestions. According to them, [email protected] Chang Wang, a frequent China Insight Nuwa, the Chinese goddess who, Publisher-CEO Patrick Welsh contributor, on his being selected by the according to legends, created human [email protected] Production Editor: Teresa Khamlusa [email protected] FREESUBSCRIPTIONS Getting to know you … Graphics Design Intern: Who are you? What articles do you enjoy reading? Dejian Tao China Insight would like to ensure our contents match your interests. Please [email protected] take a few minutes to complete this poll so we can update our reader demographics. 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