LOS ANGELES, CA, Dec 19 – Today, The 3rd Asian Film Festival Golden Diamond Awards ceremony was held in Los Angeles. The event’s red carpet scene was spectacular and the award stage was full of stars. Academy Award winning directors, Hollywood stars, producers, investors and Asian Film Festival ‘s filmmakers are once again gathering together to celebrate.
Holmes Stoner, Chairman of the Asian Film Festival; Leith Enron, Co-Chairwoman of the Asian Film Festival; Inge Sawerthal, President of the American Chamber of International Commerce; Richard Anderson, Oscar winner and Emmy Winner and Mariana Tse, former US Assistant Secretary of Education, As well as Asian Film Festival judges representatives Amber Martinez and Francesca Gioia Drommi and other awards guests on stage at Golden Diamond Awards ceremony to award Best Future, Best Documentary, Best Animation winners, As well as the Best New Director, Best New Actress, Best Child Actor and Best Child Actress award were presented with a Golden Diamond Awards trophy and certificate.
Chinese feature film “Run. Shunzi” Leading actress Xu Yuan won the golden Diamond Award for Best Actress. Xu won much attention for her performance as Zhang Shunzi, the heroine of the movie, which depicts a young amateur athlete who becomes a professional athlete and continues to make miracles.
Jason Quin, The executive chairman of the Asian Film Festival Los Angeles delivered a speech via video on the ceremony today, He announced that the 4th Asian Film Festival was launched at the same time and will be open for application soon.
Following is the full list of the 3rd Golden Diamond Awards winners:
Best Feature: “Winter in LA”, USA Best Foreign Language Film: “Four Ever Young”, China Best Documentary: “Song of Little Saigon”, USA Best Animation: “Nai Nai”, USA Best Short Film: “Hell in a Handbasket”, Canada Best Documentary Short: “Believer”, China Best Student Short: ” Magician: Game of Detective”, China Best Director: “The Road to Eden”, Kyrgyzstan Best First Director: “Take it Easy”, USA, Suja Raghuram Manoj Best Director Student: ” One Afternoon”, China, Yumin Zhang Best Script: “Like Rainbow”, Iran, Behrad Sahebgharani Best Cinematography: ”Path To The Sky”, Sammy Su, Canada Best Production Design: “Bloody Romeo”, Canada, Alina Lapteva Best Music: “A Paper Plane Ride Home”, USA, Georgia Conrad Best Actor: “The Road to Eden”, Kyrgyzstan, Bakyt Mukul Best Actress: “Run! Shunzi”, China, Yuan Xu Best New Actress: “An Hero”, USA, Tyler Li Stoner Best Child Actor: “Snails”, USA, Aiden Lu Best Child Actress: “Where the Light Ends”, China, Zili Zhang
Expenditures by foreign direct investors to acquire, establish, or expand U.S. businesses totaled $120.7 billion (preliminary) in 2020. Expenditures were down 45.4 percent from $221.2 billion (revised) in 2019 and below the annual average of $314.4 billion for 2014-2019. As in previous years, acquisitions of existing businesses accounted for a large majority of total expenditures.
In 2020, expenditures for acquisitions were $116.3 billion, expenditures to establish new U.S. businesses were $1.9 billion, and expenditures to expand existing foreign-owned businesses were $2.4 billion. Planned total expenditures, which include both first-year and planned future expenditures, were $135.8 billion.
Expenditures by industry, country, and state in 2020
By industry, expenditures for new direct investment were largest in manufacturing, at $63.3 billion, accounting for 52.4 percent of total expenditures. Within manufacturing, expenditures were largest in chemical manufacturing ($26.9 billion) and computers and electronic products ($14.8 billion). There were also notable expenditures in information ($17.4 billion), primarily telecommunications.
By country of ultimate beneficial owner (UBO), the largest investing country was Germany, with expenditures of $20.5 billion. Canada ($15.2 billion) was the second largest country, followed by Switzerland ($13.8 billion). By region, Europe contributed two-thirds of new investment in 2020.
By U.S. state, Texas received the largest investment, with expenditures of $18.6 billion, followed by California ($17.8 billion) and New Jersey ($14.1 billion).
Greenfield expenditures
Greenfield investment expenditures—expenditures to either establish a new U.S. business or to expand an existing foreign-owned U.S. business—were $4.4 billion in 2020. Total planned expenditures until completion for greenfield investment initiated in 2020, which include both first-year and future expenditures, were $19.5 billion.
By U.S. industry, greenfield expenditures in 2020 were largest in manufacturing ($1.3 billion) and utilities ($1.1 billion). By region of UBO, Europe ($2.2 billion) and Asia and Pacific ($1.7 billion) had the largest expenditures. By U.S. state, Texas received the highest level of greenfield investment ($1.0 billion).
Employment by newly acquired, established, or expanded foreign-owned businesses
In 2020, employment at newly acquired, established, or expanded foreign-owned businesses in the United States was 197,500 employees. Current employment of acquired enterprises was 194,000. Total planned employment, which includes the current employment of acquired enterprises, the planned employment of newly established business enterprises when fully operational, and the planned employment associated with expansions, was 206,500.
By industry, retail trade accounted for the largest number of employees (between 50,000 and 100,000)1followed by manufacturing (30,900), primarily chemical manufacturing. By country of UBO, Canada accounted for the largest number of employees (112,400), followed by the United Kingdom (10,100) and the United Kingdom Islands in the Caribbean, which include the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands (7,400).
By U.S. state, Texas had the largest employment (between 50,000 and 100,000), followed by California (21,000) and Arizona (9,300). Employment for an acquired entity that operated in multiple states is attributed to the state in which it had the greatest number of employees.
On June 14-16, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo will travel to Brussels, Belgium to join President Biden, Secretary Blinken, Ambassador Tai and EU government leaders at the U.S.-EU Summit. In addition to supporting President Biden’s mission at the U.S.-EU Summit, Secretary Raimondo will meet with European Union government leaders and industry leaders to discuss strengthening the transatlantic partnership and economic and digital cooperation. This marks her first official international trip as Secretary.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo held an introductory call today with the Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Wentao. Secretary Raimondo discussed the Biden-Harris Administration’s focus on economic policies benefiting American workers and expressed U.S. concerns, including China’s unfair and market-distorting industrial policies, the need to level the playing field for U.S. companies in China, and the importance of protecting U.S. technology from unauthorized users. Secretary Raimondo noted that she looks forward to future discussions with Minister Wang on these issues.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo today announced that President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will provide prerecorded remarks at the 2021 SelectUSA Investment Summit, to be held virtually June 7-11. President Biden will join Cabinet Secretaries, Governors, CEOs, and other public and private sector leaders eager to strike global business investment deals for the United States and share insights on the latest innovations and trends in an effort to support and create jobs.
“Since taking office, President Biden has made our economic recovery a top priority – and growing U.S. trade and foreign direct investment are an important component of that,” said Secretary Raimondo. “I am proud to stand alongside him in making a powerful case to the world that the U.S. is the best place for any nation to do business.”
In addition to President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg will now participate in the SelectUSA Investment Summit. They join Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Small Business Administration Administrator Isabel Guzman, Governors, top CEOs, and small business leaders for the highest-profile event dedicated to promoting foreign direct investment in the United States.
For nine years in a row, the United States has been ranked by A.T. Kearney as the top place for foreign business investment. Many important investment deals are conducted at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, and since inception it has generated more than $48.4 billion in foreign direct investment, supporting more than 45,000 jobs in the United States.
The Investment Summit provides opportunities to spotlight America’s innovative climate, diversity of resources and robust workforce which can contribute to global success for foreign investors. The event will promote four pillars to increase American competitiveness: 1) Revitalizing U.S. manufacturing and developing advanced industries; 2) Building a 21st century workforce; 3) Maintaining leadership in global innovation; and 4) Promoting America, at home and abroad. Biden-Harris Administration priorities will also be discussed, such as the American Jobs Plan, the American Rescue Plan implementation, other COVID-19 economic recovery efforts, job creation, building back better and more inclusivity.
Housed within the U.S. Department of Commerce, SelectUSA promotes and facilitates business investment into the United States by coordinating related federal government agencies to serve as a single point of contact for investors. SelectUSA assists U.S. economic development organizations to compete globally for investment by providing information, a platform for international marketing, and high-level advocacy. SelectUSA also helps investors find the information they need to make decisions; connect to the right people at the local level; navigate the federal regulatory system; and find solutions to issues related to the federal government.
On Saturday November 7th, 2020, the official judges were announced for next year’s 2021 Asian Film Festival (https://asianfilmfestival.us).
Among the announced judges was Amber Martinez, actress and producer. Amber Martinez has worked on many films and television projects. Some of her well-known film projects are Dead Ant, Madness in the Method, Glass Jaw, Fight of Fury, Guitars and Guns, Bond of Justice: Kizuna, and Senior Entourage.
In the film Senior Entourage, Amber Martinez worked with an amazing all-star cast, including Ed Asner, Marion Ross, Mark Rydell, Charles Robinson, James Handy, David Lockhart, Brian Conners, and the late Helen Reddy.
Amber Martinez
Some television projects, that Ms. Martinez has worked on include 68 Whiskey, Why Women Kill, NCIS, S.W.A.T., Homeland, and Dirty John: Betty Broderick. Her latest project that she is working on is the film Christmas Slasher, where she stars in the role of “Victoria” and she is also an Executive Producer on the film. Presenting this honor on Nov. 7th, 2020, was the festival director himself, Jason Quin.
The event took place at the new luxury hotel The Maybourne Beverly Hills, located at 225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
The event was photographed by Guillermo Proano. Also, in attendance at the official announcement were international recording artist Josh Moreland, actress Rebecca Holden,TV host Shelley Sykes, philanthropist Leith Eaton, and former Hollywood Foreign Press AssociationPresident, Aida Takla.
When asked about receiving the honor of being a judge for the 2021 Asian Film Festival, Ms. Martinez replied, “It is truly an honor and I am so incredibly grateful for this opportunity…”
Amber Martinez official social media connections are as follows: Twitter: @__AmberMartinez, Instagram: @amber_martinez_official, and Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/theofficialambermartinez.
The Confederation Institute of Education is a sponsor of the 2nd Annual Asian Film Festival Los Angeles 2020 and plans research projects to support the practice of Asian young filmmakers and student film directors.
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos released the following statement on the Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump today which will transform the federal hiring process to replace one-size-fits-all, degree-based hiring with skills-based hiring:
“I want to applaud President Trump for today’s Executive Order that recognizes the skills, knowledge, and experience students and workers gain both inside and outside the classroom. All too often, workers have been denied opportunities that match their skills because they lacked a traditional degree, and industries have missed out on capable employees because of arbitrary postsecondary degree requirements. It’s long past time to extend credit to workers for the talents they bring, even if those abilities aren’t learned while earning a traditional degree, and today’s Executive Order ensures the federal government does that going forward.
“I continue to challenge the business community to rethink education and to embrace potential employees who have gained their experience and skills outside of the typical classroom—including serving our country through military service. Learning is a lifelong journey, and there are many ways to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the workforce. I thank President Trump for his leadership on this issue, which will benefit students, lifelong learners, and all American workers.”
President Trump said on Sunday the U.S. tariffs imposed on $200 billion of Chinese goods will increase to 25 percent on Friday, attributing the payments on those products to the “great economic results.”
The U.S. already imposes a 10 percent tariff on $200 billion of goods and a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion of tech products. Trump also threatened to slap an additional 25 percent tariff on $325 billion of goods.
White House officials have stressed that both sides are eager to wrap up talks; last week, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told FOX Business that although they still had “more work to do,” enforcement mechanisms were “close to done.”
“If we get to a completed agreement it will have real enforcement provisions,” he said at the time. Trump, however, warned that although talks were continuing, they were progressing too slowly as Beijing tries to renegotiate.
“The Tariffs paid to the USA have had little impact on product cost, mostly borne by China. The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!” Trump wrote.
Politico reported on Wednesday that the two countries are close to a deal, which could come as soon as the end of this week.
Trump has made a priority of shaking up American trade policy.
As a candidate for the presidency, Trump raged repeatedly about alleged Chinese perfidy — so much so that a video mashup of him spitting out the word “China” went viral and collected more than 15 million views on Youtube.com.
Trump charged that previous administrations, gullible and weak, had let China get away with abusive trade practices, accepting empty promises from Beijing and allowing the U.S.-China economic relationship to grow ever more lopsided. As evidence, he pointed to America’s vast U.S. trade deficit with China — $379 billion last year, by far the biggest with any country in the world.
Once he took office, Trump’s relationship with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, seemed to get off to a good start. The two men shared chocolate cake and amiable conversation at Trump’s resort in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, in April 2017. A few weeks later, China agreed to open its market U.S. beef, cooked chicken, and natural gas in what Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross called a “herculean accomplishment.”
The romance faded. In March 2018, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued a report accusing China of using predatory tactics to strengthen its tech companies.
Last July, the Trump administration gradually began slapping import taxes on Chinese goods to pressure Beijing into changing its policies. It now has imposed 10% tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports and 25% tariffs on another $50 billion. The Chinese have retaliated by targeting $110 billion in U.S. imports.
The fight between the world’s two biggest economies is raising worries about global economic growth. The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and others have downgraded their forecasts for the world economy, saying the U.S.-China standoff is reducing world trade and creating uncertainty for companies trying to decide where to buy supplies, build factories, and make investments.
Trump has portrayed his tariffs as a moneymaker for the United States and a benefit to the U.S. economy.
But a March study by economists from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Columbia University, and Princeton University found that the burden of Trump’s tariffs — including taxes on steel, aluminum, solar panels, and Chinese imports — falls entirely on U.S. consumers and businesses who buy imported products. By the end of last year, the study found, they were paying $3 billion a month in higher taxes and absorbing $1.4 billion a month in lost efficiency.
Nonetheless, the overall U.S. economy has remained healthy. On Friday, the government reported that the U.S. unemployment rate had fallen to the lowest level in half a century.
