The Best is Yet to Come
CINGS (China Institute Next Gen x Serica)
One Vision, One Goal
At the heart of CINGS is a commitment to bridge building—fostering deep and meaningful connections between China and the U.S. Our cohort consists of individuals who embody a shared passion for collaboration, community, and personal growth.
As our inimitable Madam President, Annie Liang-Zhou , moves into the President Emeritus role (more on her amazing journey and the story of building CINGS to come. Stay tuned!), CINGS is entering its next chapter with new leadership: Brandon Lee and Yong Zhao , co-presidents, alongside David Chen , our inaugural China Head.?
A founding CINGS member and now serving as co-president, Brandon brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial energy and dedication to bridge-building. His passion for sports, which inspired his apparel startup, is rooted in the values of competition, meritocracy, and camaraderie—values that he believes can empower communities and foster innovation. For Brandon, CINGS is more than an organization; it’s a testament to what can be built when people are motivated by a shared purpose.
“I hope to take the same energy and passion that drives my work in sports and apply it here at CINGS, where we highlight the power of communities coming together across borders.” - Brandon Lee
One of Brandon's favorite books, The Kite Runner, reflects his belief in redemption and personal growth, themes that resonate deeply with his vision for CINGS.
领英推荐
Also a founding member and now co-president, Yong has been instrumental in shaping the direction of CINGS from its inception. Yong is also an entrepreneur of Chinese restaurant brands, transforming how Chinese culture is experienced through food. His mission is to revitalize the small, often family-run Chinese restaurants that have long been staples of neighborhoods across the U.S.
“For decades, the first impression of Chinese culture in the U.S. has been through food, especially the mom-and-pop Chinese takeouts,” Yong explains. “When the owners retire, and the next generation doesn’t continue the business, it leaves a cultural and culinary void.” -Yong Zhao
Yong's passion lies in taking over these cherished restaurants and renovating them into what he calls a "new elementary school of Chinese food and culture"—breathing new life into the old while introducing a fresh, modern brand to future generations. Yong also writes poetry and is an avid techno fan.
The inaugural China Head of CINGS, is an expert in public diplomacy, but his approach is anything but conventional. For David, diplomacy isn’t just about government policies or official statements—it’s about trust, genuine human connections, and the shared experiences that bridge cultures. “I’m passionate about fostering dialogue between individuals,” he says.
“At CINGS, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen U.S.-China collaboration by creating spaces where meaningful conversations can occur and partnerships can flourish.” -David Chen
The best is yet to come for CINGS. With Brandon, Yong, and David leading the way, we are building programming and projects that are true to our mission.
Please stay in touch as we announce more open-to-public events and application deadlines to join our next cohort. Please DM us if you'd like to learn more.