"Japan 2019: Outlook and Challenges" with Deputy Counsel General of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Koji Abe, February 20 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host Deputy Counsel General of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Koji Abe and his talk "Japan 2019: Outlook and Challenges" on February 20.

Deputy Counsel General of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Koji Abe will be discussing the current situation in Japan and challenges to come. He will consider Japan's relations with East Asia and South Asia, as well as the US-Japan alliance. He will examine the USJTA and TPP, grassroots activities in Japan, and other political, social, and economic aspects of Japan.

It will be held from 3:00 to 4:30 pm at 4130 Posvar Hall (map) and is free and open to the public.

Lunar New Year Celebration, February 15 at Pitt.

The Pitt Chinese Department and Chinese Club will present a Lunar New Year Celebration on February 15. It runs from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

New Chinese movie Fall in Love at First Kiss (一吻定情 ) opens in Pittsburgh on February 14.

The new Chinese movie Fall in Love at First Kiss (一吻定情 ) will open around the world, including Pittsburgh, on February 14. A Malaysian site provides a summary:

Director Chen Yu San’s second film, Fall In Love At First Kiss, does not stray too far from her first feature – the successful romantic flick, Our Times. She has also gotten Our Times actor Darren Wang to be the male lead in First Kiss.

Adapted from Japanese manga Mischievous Kiss (by Kaoru Tada), First Kiss tells of schoolgirl Yuan Xiang Qin (Lin Yun, of The Mermaid) falling hard for the new boy in school, Jiang Zhi Shu (Wang). Unfortunately, Zhi Shu is superior to Xiang Qin in every way – from his looks to his IQ. Undeterred, she decides to follow her feelings and confess her love for him.

Tickets and showtime information is available online via Fandango. The theater is located at 300 West Waterfront Dr. in the Waterfront shopping complex in Homestead (map), across the Monongahela River from Greenfield, Squirrel Hill, and the rest of Pittsburgh.

"From Animation to Martial Arts: Toward the Transcendence of False Movements," February 21 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Pittsburgh Film and Media Colloquium will present Dr. Jinying Li and her talk "From Animation to Martial Arts: Toward the Transcendence of False Movements" on February 21.

燃而不毁-荆棘火敬拜团原创诗歌音乐会, March 9.

The Chinese Bible Study Fellowship and the Pittsburgh Chinese Church of Oakland will host a musical performance by Burning Bush on March 9. Please note: the entire event will be in Mandarin.

Join the Chinese Bible Study Fellowship for a night of music sharing by Burning Bush Worship Band from Chicago that creates all original content. It's a time to relax, enjoy music, and meet some new people! Free refreshments will be provided. Please note that the entire event will be in Mandarin Chinese. We hope to see you there! Tickets are free, please sign up with the link below.

The event is free but registration is required and can be made online. It runs from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in Bellefield Hall in Oakland (map).

Understanding the Background and Academic Preparation of Students from Chinese Cultures, February 28 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Center for Teaching and Learning will present "Understanding the Background and Academic Preparation of Students from Chinese Cultures" on February 28, as part of its ongoing series of workshops for instructors and teaching assistants.

Chinese learners make up the largest international student population at the University of Pittsburgh. They serve in many teaching and learning capacities such as undergraduate and graduate students, teaching assistants, and research scholars. This workshop provides specific techniques in ways to involve and interact with this specific ethnic and linguistic group. Livestreaming option is available to regional campuses.

The event is open to the Pitt community; registration is required and can be done online. The presentation will run from 1:30 to 4:00 pm in 211 David Lawrence Hall (map).

New films The Wandering Earth (流浪地球), Pegasus (飞驰人生), Integrity (廉政風雲 煙幕) staying in Pittsburgh through February 13 (at least).

New Chinese films The Wandering Earth (流浪地球) and Pegasus (飞驰人生) and new Hong Kong film Integrity (廉政風雲 煙幕), which were released to coincide with the Lunar New Year, will stay in Pittsburgh through at least February 13.

Police Story (警察故事), Police Story 2 (警察故事續集) at Row House Cinema in May for Jackie Chan series.

1985 Hong Kong film Police Story (警察故事) and the 1988 sequel Police Story 2 (警察故事續集) will be two of the films comprising a Jackie Chan Film Series at Row House Cinema from May 17 through 23. Additional films will be announced later.

Saigon88 Express now open in Robinson.

Saigon88 Express, a Vietnamese restaurant serving pho and banh mi, opened at 5500 Steubenville Pike (map) in Robinson Township in last month.


via @SAIGON88 EXPRESS.

Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Parade, February 17 in Squirrel Hill.

via @Lunar New Year PGH.

The annual Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Parade will be held in Squirrel Hill on February 17. It will begin at 11:00 am at the corner of Murray Ave. and Phillips Ave., and proceed up Murray to the intersection of Forbes Ave. Writes the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition:

On Sunday February 17th, the Lunar New Year Parade returns to the heart of Squirrel Hill! Starting at 11am at Philipps and Murray Avenue, Steel Dragon Kung Fu & Lion Dance will begin the festivities and the new year with a traditional Chinese blessing ritual. Pan-Asian cultural organizations in resplendent costumes and uniforms will showcase their craft as we march up Murray toward Darlington Street. Weaving in and out will be Chinese dragon lines, lion dance teams and Thai Fire-eaters! The award winning Allderdice Marching Band will be keeping us in rhythm. Minadeo K-5 will show us how a young dragon team can rock the line! And Dragonboat teams Pittsburgh Paddlefish and Hearts of Steel share what makes them strong and resilient in our three rivers! The Lunar New Year Parade is free and open to the public!