Ithaca College

In celebration of Focus Asia Month, the Office of Student Engagement and Multicultural Affairs, along with the Asian American Alliance, is shedding this week's spotlight on China.

For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, MAO's successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight. China since the early 1990s has increased its global outreach and participation in international organizations.

The flag of China is red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner; the color red represents revolution, while the stars symbolize the four social classes - the working class, the peasantry, the urban petty bourgeoisie, and the national bourgeoisie (capitalists).

Information obtained from www.cia.gov - The World Factbook

JOIN US IN THE CELEBRATION OF FOCUS ASIA MONTH!

Monday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. in Clarke Lounge
Asian/Asian American Student Identity Panel

Friday, April 29 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in IC Square
Asia Night!
There will be activities, food and performances $4 a plate for food and drink!

In light of the current situation in Japan, the Asian American Alliance will be raising money through selling t-shirts and through donating all money made at Asia Night. All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross to provide medical care and relief assistance in Japan.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Asian American Alliance at ICAsianAmericanAlliance@gmail.com to request accommodation.