Since 1988, the Center for Asia Pacific Studies has gained a reputation for conceptualizing and hosting events that promote greater understanding of the peoples and cultures of the Asia Pacific region. Our events attract diverse audiences, consisting of faculty, staff, students and members of the public from the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout the world. As the summer begins, the center is excited to share highlights from our events this past spring semester.

 

Family, Nation, and the Politics of Abduction in Contemporary Japan
Lecture by Allison Alexy, Associate Professor in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Michigan

Thursday, February 6
10:00-11:30 AM PT
Hybrid: McLaren 251 & Online
This event was not recorded.

For our first spring lecture, we were excited to host Allison Alexy for a lecture based on her latest research on custody and family law activism in Japan. In the 2010s, Japan faced growing calls to reform its custody and family law system, which granted sole custody to one parent, predominantly mothers. Among the activists were non-Japanese fathers who publicly used the term abduction (rachi, 拉致) to describe parental alienation, drawing on its association with North Korean kidnappings of Japanese citizens. This talk explored how these fathers harnessed the term’s emotional and political weight to highlight their struggles, revealing deeper issues of race, gender, and power in Japan’s legal and social systems.

 

Qi Baishi: A Master of Magical Ink and Brush
Lecture by Fan Jeremy Zhang, Barbara and Gerson Bakar Curator of Chinese Art at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

Friday, February 21st
10:30-11:30 AM PT
Hybrid: LM 100 & Online

We went on to host Dr. Fan Jeremy Zhang for a curator talk on Qi Baishi’s traditional Chinese ink paintings. One of the most famous artists in modern China, Qi Baishi (1864-1957) is credited with transforming the traditional brush art of educated elites into an expressionistic and abstract form that speaks clearly to the modern era. Living in a time of civil and political strife, Qi rose from a humble origin in the rural south to a successful art leader renowned for his “Four Excellences” in traditional art—poetry, painting, calligraphy, and seal carving. Focusing on mundane objects and everyday life, his paintings of familiar subjects broke social and cultural barriers for a global audience. His lively and amusing figure portrayals, lifelike aquatic animal and insect paintings, and bold landscapes of vigorous brushwork, all demonstrate the unparalleled accomplishments and contributions of this “People’s Artist” in refashioning Chinese ink art during the twentieth century. Inspired by the Qi Baishi exhibition currently on view at the Asian Art Museum, this talk offers a good opportunity to better understand the art and life of this celebrated painter and appreciate his keen observation of nature and distinct vision of the world.

 

Technology and the Rise of Great Powers
Jeffrey Ding, Assistant Professor at George Washington University
Q&A Moderated by Associate Professor Peter Lorentzen, USFCA

Monday, February 24th
5:00-6:15 PM PT
Online via Zoom Webinar

Next, the Center hosted Jeffrey Ding for a thought-provoking lecture based on his book, Technology and the Rise of Great Powers: How Diffusion Shapes Economic Competition. Addressing the question of whether AI will define the future balance of power between China and the U.S., Ding challenged the prevailing focus on innovation as the primary driver of dominance. Instead, he emphasized the critical role of how nations adapt to and scale general-purpose technologies. Drawing on historical case studies from past industrial revolutions and presenting his GPT diffusion theory, Ding offered compelling insights into why some powers accelerate while others lag behind in the global tech race.

 

Digital Technologies, Community-based Interventions, and Maternal and Child Health in Rural China
Lecture by Yunwei Chen, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Scholar, Stanford University

Thursday, March 6th
5:00-6:15 PM PT
Hybrid: Fromm Hall, Maier Room & Online

This event, led by the Center’s Asia Bridge Graduate Fellows, featured a compelling lecture by Yunwei Chen on innovative approaches to maternal and child health. As global advocacy for comprehensive and adaptive healthcare interventions grows, a central challenge persists: how to effectively design, implement, and scale these programs to support large populations during critical developmental stages. Drawing from a five-year project in rural communities in China, Dr. Chen shared transformative strategies for addressing the evolving healthcare needs of mothers and children, emphasizing scalable solutions that aim for lasting and widespread impact.

 

The China Business Conundrum: Ensure That ‘Win-Win’ Doesn’t Mean Western Companies Lose Twice
Lecture by Ken Wilcox, Adjunct Professor at Berkeley, former CEO of SVB (2001-2010), CEO of SSVB (2011-2014)
In conversation with Associate Professor Peter Lorentzen, USFCA

Monday, March 17th
2:00-3:15 PM PT
Hybrid: McLaren 251 & Online

Next, the Center hosted Ken Wilcox for a lecture based on his book, The China Business Conundrum: Ensure That ‘Win-Win’ Doesn’t Mean Western Companies Lose Twice. Wilcox explored the significant opportunities and unique challenges American companies face when entering the Chinese market—challenges often underestimated by CEOs. Drawing on his own experience leading his bank’s expansion into China, he outlined common pitfalls, offered strategic insights for navigating the business landscape, and discussed how the U.S. government can more effectively support companies operating abroad.

 

The Powerful Intersectionality of Mental Health and Korean Dramas
Talk by Jeanie Y. Chang, LMFT | Author | TEDx Speaker | Educator | Founder & CEO, Noona’s Noonchi®, LLC

Thursday, March 27th
5:00-6:15 PM PT
Online via Zoom Webinar

One of the most popular lectures of the spring, the Center was delighted to host Jeanie Y. Chang, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and author of How K-Dramas Can Transform Your Life: Powerful Lessons on Belongingness, Healing, and Mental Health, for a virtual fireside chat with our Director Dr. Wei Menkus. In this engaging conversation, Chang and Dr. Menkus explored the mental health benefits of Korean dramas and their profound impact on emotional well-being, highlighting how K-Dramas can foster healing, connection, and a deeper sense of belonging.

 

Birthright Citizenship in the United States: History and Controversy
Bill Ong Hing, Professor of Law and Migration Studies at the University of San Francisco

Tuesday, April 15th
1:00-2:15 PM PT
Hybrid: McLaren 251 & Online

Next, the Center welcomed Professor Bill Ong Hing for a relevant and timely lecture on the history and ongoing debate surrounding birthright citizenship. In his presentation, Professor Hing examined the origins and evolution of birthright citizenship in the United States, highlighting its significance in shaping national identity, immigration policy, and civil rights. He addressed the contemporary challenges that emerged during the Trump administration, unpacked the legal and political controversies surrounding the issue, and considered the potential implications of a future Supreme Court review of United States v. Wong Kim Ark, the 1898 landmark case that affirmed birthright citizenship as a constitutional right.

 

Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant
Lecture by Curtis Chin, Author and Filmmaker

Thursday, April 24th
5:15-6:15 PM PT
Hybrid: Fromm Hall, Berman Room & Online

To kick off AAPI Month, the Center hosted Curtis Chin for a talk inspired by his memoir, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. In this candid and compelling book, Chin recounts his experiences growing up Asian in Detroit and coming out to his working-class immigrant family, all set against the backdrop of the Reagan-era 1980s, the AIDS crisis, and life inside his family’s popular Chinese restaurant. This event marked the launch of the Center’s new Asian Pacific American Spotlight Series, offering a powerful start to a month of reflection, storytelling, and celebration.

 

Healing Beyond Boundaries: Mental Health Perspectives in Asian American and Filipino Communities
Lecture by Jonna Karla C. Bien, Fulbright Scholars-In-Residence, Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Wednesday, April 30th
10:30–11:35 AM PT
Online via Zoom

As part of AAPI Month programming, the Center also welcomed Jonna Karla C. Bien for a lecture examining the unique mental health challenges and resilience strategies within Asian American and Filipino communities. Drawing on real-life narratives, cultural frameworks, and emerging research, Bien offered students critical insights into how identity, migration experiences, and stigma influence mental well-being. The talk fostered important dialogue around culturally informed approaches to mental health and highlighted the strength and resilience found within these communities.

 

Positive Obsession and Obsessive Positivity: Lessons from Aesthetics in Ming-Qing China
Lecture by Michael Dufresne, Kiriyama Fellow

Thursday, May 1st
1:00-2:15 PM PT
Hybrid: McLaren 251 & Online

To close out the semester, the USF Center for Asia Pacific Studies welcomed Michael Dufresne for a lecture on aesthetics in China during the Ming and Qing dynasties, a period when “madness” and “obsession” were celebrated cultural themes. In this engaging talk, Dufresne explored the aesthetic value of obsession (pǐ 癖), examining its historical appeal and its relevance to contemporary life. While obsession might initially appear as an unhealthy mindset, Ming-Qing thinkers viewed it as a sign of deep authenticity–distinguishing those passionately devoted to their interests from individuals driven by wealth or social status.

 

If you would like to support events like these, please consider making a donation here. Your contribution helps us continue offering engaging programs that celebrate and explore the diverse cultures, histories, and issues of the Asia Pacific region.