ASIA SOCIETY MARKS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
WITH MAJOR PLANS FOR GLOBAL EXPANSION
AND NEW PROGRAMMATIC INITIATIVES
TOTALING $100 MILLION

BUILDING PROJECTS IN HONG KONG AND HOUSTON
AND NEW CENTER IN MUMBAI EXPAND WORLDWIDE NETWORK

February 23, 2006, New York City – Asia Society announced tonight more than $100 million of commitments to fund a major global expansion and new programmatic initiatives that will position the organization for the next fifty years. The announcement came at a gala dinner marking the 50th anniversary of Asia Society’s founding by Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd. The Asia Society was established in 1956 as a vehicle to strengthen relationships and deepen understanding among the peoples of Asia and the United States.

Addressing over 1,200 leaders from government, philanthropy, business, society, journalism, and the arts, who gathered at the Waldorf=Astoria for the black tie affair, Asia Society President Vishakha N. Desai said, “The generous gifts and broad-based initiatives we proudly announce both demonstrate our commitment to honoring our founder’s legacy and indicate that our mission is more relevant than ever. Furthermore, the record-breaking $4 million raised at tonight’s dinner affirms the excitement our supporters feel about our dynamic future.”

The Chairman of Asia Society’s Board of Trustees, Richard C. Holbrooke added, “We mark this milestone anniversary with projects and programs that will dramatically expand the Society’s global network, reach, and impact, and help us better address the challenges and issues we all face in a rapidly changing world whose focus is unquestionably tilting toward Asia.”

Building a Global Organization

The initiatives announced at the dinner represent a dramatic expansion of the scope and scale of Asia Society activities that will include the groundbreaking for multi-million dollar physical facilities in Hong Kong and Houston, opening a new Asia Society India Centre in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), and expanding program activities in Asia Society Centers around the world. Asia Society currently has offices in New York, Washington, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Manila, Shanghai, and Melbourne.

Asia Society Hong Kong

On February 10, 2006, Asia Society Hong Kong officially launched the development of a permanent, multi-purpose publicly accessible center to promote education and a deeper understanding of Asia and international affairs. Designed by the acclaimed New York based firm, Tod Williams Billie Tsien and Associates, the facility will transform an important historic but little known site—the former Explosives Magazine—in the heart of Hong Kong Island. This state-of-the-art facility, with exhibition space, a theatre, lecture halls, offices and other amenities, is scheduled for completion in 2008. The projected building and operating costs for this new center are $52 million. The Asia Society Hong Kong Center was established in 1990.

Asia Society Texas and Asia House

Internationally renowned architect Yoshio Taniguchi, best known for his recent expansion of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, will design a major building project for Asia Society Texas, named Asia House, which will house museum galleries, a 300-seat theatre, meeting rooms, reception spaces, gardens, and other amenities. Centrally located in Houston’s Museum district, Asia Society Texas’s new facility will be a public meeting place for the city’s diverse communities with special outreach to Asian American groups. The estimated building project and endowment needs for Asia House are $40 million with a projected completion date of 2010. The Asia Society Texas Center was established in 1979.

Asia Society India Centre

Asia Society will launch its newest center on March 18, 2006, in Mumbai, India. The Centre will be opened by His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, at an inaugural event during the Society’s 16 th Asian Corporate Conference. The Centre will serve as a multi-dimensional resource, a forum for intra-Asian connections and exchange , and a high-profile platform for U.S.-South Asia dialogue.

New Programmatic Initiatives for a New Century

With the profound changes brought about by globalization, the information revolution, and the dramatic reshaping of world affairs stemming from the emergence of China and India as global powers, the Asia Society is again charging forward with creative new programs and ideas to realize John D. Rockefeller 3rd’s vision.

Asia Society Center on U.S.-China Relations

Launched with an $7 million commitment of endowment and operating support from Asia Society Honorary Life Trustee Arthur Ross, the Asia Society Center on U.S.-China Relations will promote better understanding of U.S.-China relations. The Center will conduct original research, distribute timely information on critical issues, develop creative programming aimed at educating the American and international public, and engage key Chinese and American political and business leaders in critical dialogue. The Center will operate out of the Asia Society’s New York headquarters.

Bernard Schwartz Fellows Program

Schwartz Fellows, selected from among the most imaginative thinkers on Asian affairs, will spend up to one-year terms based in Asia Society offices worldwide conducting research and engaging in public outreach. This new fellows program is made possible with an initial commitment of $1.5 million over three years from Bernard Schwartz.

Asia 21 Young Leaders

This program brings together the most dynamic young leaders from the Asia-Pacific region for a series of meetings and conferences in Asia designed to develop creative, shared approaches to leadership and problem solving. The program has been launched with $1 million in lead sponsorship support from Merrill Lynch.

Asia Society Museum Fellows

The Asia Society Museum Fellows program, made possible with a grant of $275,000 over three years from the Getty Foundation, will provide two fellows each year in the field of Asian art with practical curatorial training and museum management skills. These full-time fellows will work with Asia Society Museum staff on exhibitions, catalogues, and special projects.

Morgan Stanley Innovators Series

With a commitment of $900,000 over the next three years, Morgan Stanley will support the presentation of major exhibitions and performance productions, including traditional and contemporary exhibitions, as well as performing arts commissions. Programs in the series will also tour to venues throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Rockefeller Fellows for Policy and Culture

Rockefeller Fellows for Policy and Culture will provide expertise on special projects and raise the profile of the Society on important and timely issues affecting the region. An endowment gift of $1.5 million from David Rockefeller will ensure that the vision and commitment of our founder is carried forward into the future.

About Asia Society’s 50th Anniversary year

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Asia Society presents a yearlong initiative of high-profile programs and events that focus on the areas of Asian culture and U.S.-Asia relations. For more information on Asia Society’s 50th anniversary, visit www.AsiaSociety.org.

AIG is the global sponsor of Asia Society’s 50th Anniversary. Major support is provided by Citigroup. Generous 50th anniversary season support is also provided by Altria Group, Inc.; The Coca-Cola Company; Merrill Lynch; Morgan Stanley; Rockefeller Brothers Fund; Warburg Pincus and WNYC New York Public Radio.

About the Asia Society

Asia Society is the leading global organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States. Founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd, Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational institution with offices in Hong Kong, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai (March 2006), New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Washington, D.C. Visit Asia Society online at www.AsiaSociety.org.

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