About us - Committee of 100

The leading organization for Chinese Americans on civic engagement, public policy, arts, culture and philanthropy

The Committee of 100 is a U.S.-based non-profit, non-partisan membership organization. The group formed after the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown when the United States faced a diplomatic challenge. The nation needed cultural bridges between U.S and China, but lacked the right voices.

Architect I.M. Pei captured the moment perfectly in a New York Times article. He wrote about the feelings of people like him and his wife, who had “love of the nation that had become our own” and “a desire to do something for our land of birth and heritage.”

Former Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger urged Pei to act. Pei assembled a group of prominent Chinese Americans to address critical issues facing the Chinese community at home and to help foster positive relations abroad between U.S. and China.

This group of luminaries—including cellist Yo-Yo Ma, global investment banker Henry S. Tang, philanthropist Oscar Tang, physicist Chien Shiung Wu, and strategic marketer Shirley Young—became the first generation of the Committee of 100 members. Policymakers and business leaders sought their perspectives in public hearings and private meetings.

The name “Committee of 100” blends the foundational American spirit of “We the People” and the Chinese phrase 老百姓 (lao bai xing), which both connote serving the needs and interests of the common people. Since 1990, the Committee of 100 has worked to foster mutual understanding between U.S. and China while advancing the full inclusion of Chinese Americans in the nation with the hope of weaving an inspiring, shared tapestry of history between the two countries.

Key moments from our history

1989

Committee of 100 is founded by Yo-Yo Ma, I.M. Pei, Henry S. Tang, Oscar Tang, Chien-Shiung Wu, and Shirley Young.

1991

Committee of 100 holds a conference in San Francisco with both American and Chinese Ambassadors presenting on the state of U.S.-China relations.

1998

The White House invites Committee of 100 to present the white paper, “Seeking Common Ground While Respecting Differences,” to National Security Adviser Sandy Berger in preparation for President Clinton’s state visit to China.

2000

Committee of 100 leads a delegation of more than a dozen Asian American organizations to raise the national awareness of the denial of due process in the Wen Ho Lee case.

2001

Committee of 100 publishes the national opinion survey “American Attitudes Towards Chinese Americans and Asian Americans,” documenting previously little-known facts about American public opinion on China.

2011

Committee of 100 hosts a Congressional briefing on the U.S.-China relationship on Capitol Hill. More than 70 Congressional members and staff participate.

Our mission

With a dual mission, Committee of 100’s purpose is to provide leadership and act as a constructive force in promoting the full participation of all Chinese Americans in American society and acting as a public policy resource for the Chinese-American community; and advancing constructive dialogue and relationships between the peoples and leaders of the United States and Greater China.