November 10, 2015 U.S. 'Can't Accept Chinese Exceptionalism' Speaking at Asia Society in New York on November 4, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Daniel Russel said that under the Obama administration, the U.S. and China have learned to cooperate in a number of areas and establish dialogue to avoid crises. However, he said, China still wants a “free pass” on contentious issues that it considers its “core interests” and that Chinese leaders often “seek from us a willingness to paper over differences that is just not tenable in a democracy.” Read the article/watch video India Begins Its 'Festival of Lights' The ancient Hindu holiday of Diwali, celebrated in India and elsewhere for more than a millennium, literally lights up the country with fireworks and traditional lanterns when it occurs each autumn. This year's five-day festival, which marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, began on November 7. In an Asia Blog slideshow, see vibrant images of Diwali from years past. View photos In Chinese Films, 'The Cultural Revolution Is Still Off Limits' Zhang Yimou, one of China’s most celebrated film directors, says that in spite of touching on China’s turbulent Cultural Revolution in his latest film Coming Home, the topic remains mostly forbidden by censors. In an interview with ChinaFile Managing Editor Jonathan Landreth, Zhang discusses his country’s film industry, how he agrees “very much” with President Xi Jinping’s recent controversial speech on arts and culture, and how he’d love to co-direct a film with Steven Spielberg. Read the interview Upcoming Events Hong Kong: Women’s Leadership in Science, Technology, and Business, 11/11 Houston: Traditional and Contemporary Chamber Music for Two Shakuhachi, Oboe, and Cello, 11/12 New York: Kinding Sindaw: Family Performance, 11/15 Become a Member Donate Now                  Asia Society 725 Park Avenue New York, NY 10021 USA Copyright © 2015 Asia Society, All rights reserved.  www.asiasociety.org