Each week, we'll share a variety of videos, articles, webcasts, and more from around the web — all curated by Asia Society Texas Center staff to reflect the broad interests and goals of our mission. In this digest, explore Business and Policy topics through a selection of videos, podcasts, and articles.

Webcast: Standing Against Racism in the Time of COVID (Part II)

ASIA SOCIETY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, September 2, 2020 — COVID-19 has thrown into stark relief the racism which plagues the United States and much of the world. The Asian American community has been scapegoated for the outbreak of the pandemic, including being subjected to harassment and assault. Black and Brown communities have been hit disproportionately hard by the pandemic, suffering the greatest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The novel coronavirus and racism are afflicting dual pandemics on communities of color. Education and allyship are key to dismantling the racism which persists in ways institutional, historical, and structural. A conversation examines how the Asian American community can contribute to the racial justice movement, including the history of cooperation and tension between the Asian American and African American communities, racism within the Asian American community including colorism and anti-Black sentiment, and how to have difficult conversations on racism across generations in our families and communities.

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Video: The End of Enlightenment? — with Bruno Maçaes

ASIA SOCIETY SWITZERLAND, August 13, 2020 — In his new book, Bruno Maçaes, former Portuguese Minister and book author, argues that the U.S. is about to leave behind the ideas rooted in the Enlightenment, and is entering a post-truth phase where stories and fantasies matter more than fact-based arguments. But far from seeing this as a weakening, Maçaes argues that this will strengthen the U.S. on the world stage — and set up a new great-power relationship with China.

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Podcast: Asia In-Depth: Xinjiang Under Surveillance

August 6, 2020 — Surveillance technology is in our homes, cars, and pockets. It is already used in various ways, like customizing our shopping experience or helping us navigate traffic. But we're only beginning to understand the extent of the data being collected on individuals and the many ways it can be used — particularly in China. In China, reports suggest that the government has implemented a new level of mass surveillance to track Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, the country's far western region. In this episode, BuzzFeed News international correspondent Megha Rajagopalan and Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, an investigative journalist who covers China for Axios, explain the difference between ordinary surveillance in China and the specialized technology that is being used in Xinjiang, how personal data is being used against the Uighur community, the rise of re-education camps, and more.

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Article: Curbing State-Driven Trade

ASIA SOCIETY POLICY INSTITUTE, July 13, 2020 — How can international trade rules better address the trade distortions presented by industrial subsidies and other forms of state aid? Asia Society Policy Institute Vice President Wendy Cutler addresses how to craft new and effective approaches to counter distortive practices.

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Business and Policy programs are endowed by Huffington Foundation. We give special thanks to Bank of America, Muffet Blake, Anne and Albert Chao, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Nancy Pollok Guinee, and United Airlines, Presenting Sponsors of Business and Policy programs; Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, and Leslie and Brad Bucher, Presenting Sponsors of Exhibitions; Dr. Ellen R. Gritz and Milton D. Rosenau, Presenting Sponsors of Performing Arts and Culture; Wells Fargo, Presenting Sponsor of Education & Outreach; and Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Presenting Sponsor of the Japan Series. General support of programs and exhibitions is provided by The Brown Foundation, Inc., The Hearst Foundation, Inc., Houston Endowment, Inc., the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, McKinsey & Company, Inc., National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, Vinson & Elkins LLP, and Mary Lawrence Porter, as well as Friends of Asia Society.

About Asia Society at Home

We are dedicated to continuing our mission of building cross-cultural understanding and uplifting human connectivity. Using digital tools, we bring you content for all ages and conversations that matter, in order to spark curiosity about Asia and to foster empathy.

About Asia Society Texas Center

With 13 locations throughout the world, Asia Society is the leading educational organization promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among the peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and West. Asia Society Texas Center executes the global mission with a local focus, enriching and engaging the vast diversity of Houston through innovative, relevant programs in arts and culture, business and policy, education, and community outreach.