The Importance of Cultural Diplomacy Between China and the US - Both Then and Now
VIEW EVENT DETAILSLuncheon Keynote Addresses and Panel Discussion
Registration 12:00pm,
Luncheon, Keynote, Panel Discussion & Performance by Philadelphia Orchestra 12:15pm,
Close 2:00pm
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s relations with China began in 1973 with its historical trip at the request of President Nixon. 2016 marks The Philadelphia Orchestra’s first visit in 11 years in Hong Kong, at the same time launching its 2016 Residency and Tour of China. Beijing and Washington have both recognized the Orchestra’s China "Touring and Residency Initiative" as a significant contributor to US-China Relations in the field of cultural exchange and as a "best in class" example of "People-to-People Exchange" between the two countries. How has this relationship evolved over the past few decades, what role does Hong Kong play in the equation, and who are the other key players in addition to the traditional diplomatic community in facilitating such soft power influences between China and the U.S.?
After a 34 year Foreign Service career, Nicholas Platt served for twelve years at the helm of the Asia Society before becoming President Emeritus on July 1, 2004. Trained in Chinese (Mandarin) at the State Department Language School 1962-63, he began his career in Asia as a China Analyst at the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong from 1964-68. In 1972 he accompanied President Nixon on the historic trip to Beijing that signaled the resumption of relations between the United States and China. He was one of the first members of the U.S. Liaison Office in Beijing when the United States established a mission there in 1973. He served in Canada and Japan and as U.S. Ambassador to Zambia (1982-1984), the Philippines (1987-91) and Pakistan (1991-92). Educated at Harvard College and Johns Hopkins SAIS, he is a member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations, a board member of the Friends of China Heritage Fund Limited, Chair of the US-China Education Trust Advisory Board, and on the Christie’s American Advisory Board. Since 2011, he has been the Senior Advisor on China programs for the Philadelphia Orchestra. Ambassador Platt and his wife Sheila have three grown sons: Adam, a writer; Oliver, an actor and Nicholas Jr., an investment banker; and eight grandchildren. His memoir China Boys was published in March 2010.
Dr. Wilfred Wong, GBS, JP is Chairman of Hong Kong Arts Development Council. He is also President and Chief Operating Officer of the Sands China Ltd., and Non-executive Director and Chairman of Synergis Holdings Ltd. Dr. Wong previously served as Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service and Deputy Director General of Industry. He is currently the Chairman of Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service; Chairman of Asian Film Awards Academy; Chairman of Hong Kong International Film Festival Society; Chairman of Hong Kong Baptist University Foundation; Chairman of the Pacific Basin Economic Council; Chairman of Hong Kong Institute for Public Administration; Deputy Chairman of Hong Kong Film Development Council and Committee Member of the 9th National Congress of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. He was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong Government in 2015.
Winsome Chow is Chief Executive of Hong Kong Arts Development Council. Ms. Chow is a senior arts administrator of Hong Kong experienced in the planning and management of performing arts venues, presentation of arts programmes, the steering of funding and collaboration initiatives as well as the promotion of cultural exchange. Before joining the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), she worked in the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong Government where she managed 14 performing arts centers and the presentation of performing arts programmes. Her career path was marked by a number of festivals and celebration events, including the opening of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in 1978 and the founding of New Vision Arts Festival and World Cultures Festival. Since joining HKADC in August 2015, Ms Chow has initiated a reform of the funding schemes, a more vigorous international cultural exchange strategy and a plan to seek more arts spaces for Hong Kong artists.
2016 marked Jean-Michel Dumont’s 30th year in public relations in Asia .In this role as Chairman of Ruder Finn Asia, he is responsible for the growth and development of Ruder Finn Asia, devising Asia-wide strategic direction for Ruder Finn and setting the tone on how the company’s business is managed. Jean Michel Dumont’s expertise has helped Ruder Finn become one of the top 3 international PR agencies in the Mainland China market and a recognized leader in several areas across Asia including luxury, corporate and CSR programs. He has led accounts that included representing the governments of Finland, France and Brazil; positioning Beijing as the Asian hub of contemporary arts in the build-up to the 2008 Olympics through the global launch of the UCCA Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art; and managing the US, Brazil and Colombia pavilions’ communication during the Shanghai World Expo 2010. Mr. Dumont was also involved in assisting the Beijing 2000 Olympic Bid Committee as well as the World Health Organisation and providing Beijing government communication support during the SARS outbreak in 2003. A native of France, he is fluent in French, English, Spanish and Portuguese and has a working knowledge of Mandarin and Italian.
Craig Hamilton is the Vice President of Global Initiatives and Government Relations for The Philadelphia Orchestra. With over 20 years of experience in Arts Management, he is currently president of the Orchestra’s China Residency Program, as well as overseeing Orchestra’s global and local initiatives, including its international touring, national residency programs, and regional community outreach and partnerships. He is also responsible for all of the Orchestra’s relationships at the city, state and federal levels of government. Under his leadership the Orchestra announced this year that it will be the first Western Orchestra to perform in Mongolia in 2017. Prior to his current role, he was the Director of Development for The Philadelphia Orchestra, where he managed all of the Orchestra's annual giving programs, including the individual, corporate, foundation and planned giving programs, which raise over $13 million annually. Prior to his arrival at the Orchestra, he was the head of fundraising for the NPR and PBS radio and TV stations in Philadelphia - WHYY.
Stephen D. Lackey is BNY Mellon’s Chairman of Asia Pacific. He directs and manages the execution of the company's business strategy for the region, with offices in 12 countries. Prior to Hong Kong, Mr. Lackey served as BNY Mellon’s director of global corporate development and investor relations, overseeing the company’s merger and acquisitions activities and its relationships with shareholders and equity/debt analysts. Mr. Lackey serves as Vice Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong. He is a member of the Finance Committee and chairs the Financial Strategy Group. Additionally, he was a Director for Wing Hang Bank.
S. Alice Mong became the Executive Director of Asia Society Hong Kong Center (ASHK) in August of 2012. Prior to ASHK, she worked in New York for almost a decade in the non-profit sector in senior management position. While in New York, Ms. Mong was the Director of the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) from 2009 till 2011. Ms. Mong left MOCA in July 2011 after successfully transforming the museum from a New York Chinatown institution to become the leading national museum. Ms. Mong also served as the Executive Director for the Committee of 100 in the United States, a Chinese-American non-profit membership organization founded by architect, I.M. Pei and cellist, Yo-Yo Ma. Prior to New York, Ms. Mong worked in Hong Kong from 1992 to 2002.
Co-presented with
The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong &
Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Program in Hong Kong has been made possible by the support of
The China-US Exchange Foundation
Event Details
Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty