About Asia Society

Preparing Asians and Americans for a Shared Future

Asia Society is the leading educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context. Across the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, the Society provides insight, generates ideas, and promotes collaboration to address present challenges and create a shared future.

Founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd, Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution with headquarters in New York, centers in Hong Kong and Houston, and affiliated offices in Los Angeles, Manila, Mumbai, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, and Washington, DC.

Here's what some leading figures have said about Asia Society:

“Over the years, the Asia Society has endeavored to strengthen US-Asia exchanges and cooperation and promote China-US relations, and I wish to express to you my appreciation for all this.”
— President Hu Jintao, The People’s Republic of China

“…the Society has been invaluable in bringing together a wide variety of opinions on the encounter between Asia and the United States … and has contributed to the transformation in India-U.S. ties manifest in recent times.”
— Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, India

“The Asia Society has been playing an important role in deepening ties and understanding among the peoples of Asia-Pacific and the United States. I truly expect the Asia Society will enhance this role for furthering the region’s stability and prosperity.”
— Former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe

“The Asia Society has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about Asia among Americans and to strengthen relations between Asia and the United States.”
— Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, United Nations

“At a time when the eyes of the world are on Asia, this institution is indispensable.”
— The New York Times