At the upcoming Asians in America Awards Dinner scheduled for March 17, 2016, the US-China Education Trust will present Dr. James S.C. Chao with a special award in recognition of his leadership in the Asian American community, as well as for his accomplishments in philanthropy and international trade and commerce. Mr. Madhavan Rangaswami, philanthropist and software executive, will also be honored at this inaugural dinner, which will take place in Washington, D.C. at the Mayflower Hotel.

The purpose of the awards dinner is to celebrate the achievements of Asian American society: to bring them to a higher level of visibility, and to amplify the conversation around how to advance cooperation between the United States and Asia. Using a focused event such as this, the US-China Education Trust seeks to promote the importance of the tri-lateral relationship among China, India and the United States. As Asia increases its role in global affairs, the Trust believes it is more important than ever to encourage cooperation and understanding between America and Asian nations, especially China and India.

In the days immediately preceding the dinner, another event — the US Chiefs of Mission Conference — will draw all the US Ambassadors to Washington, DC. Due to this fortunate timing, the dinner’s organizers were able to extend invitations to His Excellency Cui Tiankai, Chinese Ambassador to the United States, and His Excellency Arun Singh, Indian Ambassador to the United States, as special guests of honor. All of the US Ambassadors to South, Southeast and East Asia are also invited.

The awards dinner will be followed by a ‘Conversation with Ambassadors’ and a focused discussion on key and emerging issues affecting the Asian region. The Asians in America Awards Dinner is being hosted by the US-China Education Trust and Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch. Co-chairs are: US Secretary of Labor (2001-2009), the Honorable Elaine L. Chao, and entrepreneur and philanthropist Mr Frank Islam.