Asia Society Northern California will host a virtual off-the-record Executive Roundtable on Global Shifts and the Future of Financial Hubs in Asia on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific with Zili Shao, non-executive Chairman of Fangda Partners and Ambassador Kurt Tong, Partner at The Asia Group and former Consul General and Chief of Mission in Hong Kong and Macau. Kenneth DeWoskin, Senior Advisor and Eminence Fellow to Deloitte for China research and insight, will moderate.

This program is complimentary and open to Asia Society members.  Membership will be verified prior to attendees receiving the link to join this program. To become an Asia Society Northern California member, visit our website: https://asiasociety.org/northern-california/join-our-community

The executive roundtable discussion will assess China’s role in financial markets, as conflict between Beijing and Washington intensifies. This roundtable will also assess Asia as a new consumption growth engine, and evaluate the potential for growth markets and financial services players.

AGENDA

Date: Tuesday, April 26, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific

Member Event

5:00 p.m.   Program Begins
6:00 p.m.   Program Concludes

Please register through Eventbrite if you are interested in attending.  ​​​​​Link to join virtually via Zoom will be emailed the day before and an hour before the program is scheduled by Rexille Uy, Director of Programs ([email protected]).  This will be a Zoom meeting; attendees are encouraged to turn on their cameras and will have direct access to our speakers.

SPEAKERS

Zili Shao is an accomplished lawyer and investment banker with extensive experience in financial and legal industries. Zili is the non-executive Chairman of Fangda Partners, a leading PRC law firm. He also serves as independent directors and advisors of a number of multinational companies. From 2010 to 2015, Zili was the Chairman and CEO of J.P. Morgan China as well as Vice Chairman of J.P. Morgan Asia Pacific. Prior to his time in J.P. Morgan, Zili served as Asia Pacific managing partner of Linklaters LLP, a leading international law firm.

Ambassador Kurt Tong is a Partner and member of the Executive Committee at The Asia Group, where he leads the firm’s work in Japan and Hong Kong, and on East Asia regional policy matters. He also leads the firm’s analytics team and innovative thought leadership programs. A leading expert in diplomacy and economic affairs in East Asia, Ambassador Tong brings thirty years of experience in the Department of State as a career Foreign Service Officer and member of the Senior Foreign Service.

Prior to joining The Asia Group, Ambassador Tong served as Consul General and Chief of Mission in Hong Kong and Macau, leading U.S. political and economic engagement with that important free trade hub. Prior to that role, he served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs at the State Department from 2014 to 2016, guiding the Department’s institutional strengthening efforts as its most senior career diplomat handling economic affairs. He also served as the Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo from 2011 to 2014, where he played a key role in setting the stage for Japan’s entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership and supporting Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake. In 2013, he received the Cordell Hull Award for Economic Achievement by Senior Officers for his outstanding success in advancing U.S. economic interests by reducing trade barriers, increasing market access for American products, and enhancing international cooperation across the Asia Pacific region. He also received Presidential Meritorious Service Awards for 2011 and 2018.

Kenneth DeWoskin (Moderator) is a former partner for China Strategy and Business Development at one of the Big Four, founder of Deloitte's China Research and Insight Centre, and now serves as a Senior Advisor and Eminence Fellow to Deloitte for China research and insight. He concurrently serves as Senior Advisor to The Conference Board China Center for Economics and Business.

A former professor of International Business and chairman and professor of Asian Cultures at the University of Michigan, Ken has been involved with China for over 50 years and has lived and worked extensively in both China and in Japan.

Ken's direct experience with mainland China goes back to 1977. He has served numerous clients in financial and strategic investment, logistics, automotive and industrial sectors, energy, telecommunications, consumer products, commodities and mining, retail, entertainment, media and IT, software, pharmaceutical and healthcare, and financial service industries.

Ken has taught numerous executive education programs and participated in forums for Michigan, Singapore Management University, Tsinghua University, and Wharton. He currently writes a CFO opinion column for the Wall Street Journal.

Ken received his B.A. from Columbia College in 1965 and his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1974. He has also studied at National Taiwan University and Kyoto University, and he is a fluent speaker of Mandarin Chinese and Japanese.

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