Tuesday, April 23, 2024 - Asia Society Northern California hosted an executive roundtable on U.S.-Asia relations with Ambassador Chantale Wong, U.S. Director of the Asian Development Bank. Ambassador Wong covered a range of topics crucial to the region's development and stability.

She highlighted the Asian Development Bank’s recent investments and strategy, emphasizing its expanded lending capacity while maintaining a AAA credit rating. Traditionally focused on infrastructure, the ADB now includes health, education, social protection, and climate-related projects, with a shift towards renewable energy sources. She delved into  geopolitical dynamics in the region, including joint military exercises and the U.S.-China rivalry, impact the region's development efforts. The rise of China, along with India, has prompted a strategic shift, creating both opportunities and challenges for regional cooperation.

Ambassador Wong answered questions on the challenges faced in the region,  economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,energy security, and geopolitical tensions, necessitating a new vision for regional order and governance based on inclusiveness and multilateralism. 

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