Asian Americans - US Department of State

Asian Americans

Give2Asia Helps Direct Contributions Effectively

Individuals, corporations and foundations in the United States want to ensure their contributions will fund the right project and make a real, lasting difference. Give2Asia and its founder, the Asia Foundation, are helping thousands of U.S. donors each year use their contributions to aid specific, targeted recipients across the continent and make a difference in health, education, disaster relief and job training. (complete text)

Mekong River, Regional Culture Featured at U.S. Festival

Music and crafts of the Mekong River region are sharing the spotlight at the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington. Two million Americans trace their heritage to the Mekong River region, an area that includes parts of Vietnam, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and the Chinese province of Yunnan. The exhibit includes activities for children to learn about Mekong River craft traditions and mural painting and also features performances of Vietnamese opera, Thai shadow puppetry, Cambodian classical dance and Chinese gourd flute music. (complete text)

Environmental Protection Agency Launches Chinese-Language Web Site

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launches a Chinese-language Web site with materials on a variety of issues ranging from lead-poisoning prevention, energy efficiency and clean water to proper management of pesticides. The site is aimed at the Chinese-speaking communities in the United States and worldwide. Chinese is the third most commonly spoken language in the United States, after English and Spanish. (complete text)

U.S. Olympic Skater Named American Public Diplomacy Envoy

Washington -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice named champion figure skater Michelle Kwan the first American public diplomacy envoy November 9.

A native Californian, Kwan, 26, has won five world championships, nine national championships and two Olympic medals. She speaks Cantonese, a dialect used in Hong Kong and southern China, and is studying Mandarin, the official dialect of China. In her new post, she will travel around the world to engage youth in a dialogue on the importance of education, positive health practices and respect for diversity. (complete text)