SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The California-Asia Business Council (Cal-Asia) will present its 2009 New Silk Road Award to G. Paul Matthews, founder of San Francisco-based Matthews International Capital Management and the Matthews Asia Funds, at the non-profit business group’s 15th annual Asia Night gala.

The dinner event will take place on Friday, Nov. 20, at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. See www.calasia.org; www.matthewsasia.com; www.AsiaNight.org

According to Mark C. Dosker, partner at Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, who serves as Cal-Asia’s president, Paul Matthews is being honored for:

• his pioneering role in enabling American and other investors to readily participate in the long-term growth of Asia, and
• for helping to stimulate the development of Asian markets.

With over $10 billion in assets, Matthews International Capital Management is the largest Asia-dedicated investment specialist in the United States.

“Through their long-term investments,” commented Bradley A. Aris, senior vice president at Wells Fargo-HSBC Trade Bank, who is serving as Asia Night chairman this year, “Paul and his team are helping build and strengthen Asian consumer markets and economies." He said the development of these markets “expands the opportunities in Asia for U.S. technology, manufacturing, agribusiness, environmental, entertainment, shipping and other sectors, and for the entire U.S. service sector.”

Aris added that earlier this year, four of the economies in which Paul Matthews’ firm invests—China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam—were among the handful in the world still experiencing GDP growth.

Business Leaders, Diplomats will Attend

About 400 people, including executives of California companies doing business in Asia and their spouses and guests, will attend the Asia business networking dinner and award presentation.

Special guests will include Asian ambassadors, consuls general and commercial officers based in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, said Aris. Countries expected include Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The gala will also feature a silent auction of Asian art objects and trans-Pacific airline and travel packages; an Asia-fusion dinner created especially for Asia Night; presentation of the award and Matthews’ acceptance remarks; and entertainment. William L. (Bill) Lee, San Francisco's director of International Economic and Tourism Development, will emcee the event.

How to Participate

Companies wishing to sponsor dinner tables (10 guests), or individuals wishing to buy tickets, may contact Jeremy W. Potash or Xander Kameny at Cal-Asia, tel. (415) 986-8808 or xanderk@calasia.org, or visit www.CalAsia.org or www.AsiaNight.org. Seats start at $275.

“California companies support Asia Night to expand their Asia-related business contacts, thank customers and clients, reward employees, and support the award-winning business-expansion programs of Cal-Asia,” said Jeremy Potash, the group’s executive director. She noted that the historic Palace Hotel, venue for Asia Night 2009, is now marking its centennial year.

About Cal-Asia - The California-Asia Business Council (Cal-Asia) is California's leading non-profit, Asia-focused business association. Its mission is to help California firms develop or expand their commercial ties with Asia. Asia Night is the annual fundraiser for the group. Web sites: www.CalAsia.org, www.AsiaNight.org.

About Matthews - Matthews International Capital Management is the Investment Advisor to the Matthews Asia Funds. Matthews has invested in the long-term growth of Asia since 1991. As an independent, privately owned firm, Matthews is the largest dedicated Asia-only investment specialist in the United States. Web site: www.matthewsasia.com.

SIDEBAR:

Winners of Cal-Asia's New Silk Road Award
for Outstanding Contributions to US-Asia Business

2009					G. Paul Matthews - Founder, Matthews International Capital Management,
					and Matthews Asia Funds
2008					Alexander D. Calhoun, Esq. - Senior Counsel, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey
					Dr. William F. Miller - Chairman Emeritus, Stanford Research International (SRI)
					Hon. Linda Tsao Yang - U.S. Ambassador, Asian Development Bank
2007					John S. Chen - Chairman, CEO, and President, Sybase Corp.
2006					Hon. George P. Shultz - Former U.S. Secretary of State
2005					Hon. Dianne Feinstein - United States Senator
2004					Washington SyCip - Founder SGV, known as "Wise Owl of Asia Business"
2003					Dr. Daniel K. H. Chao – Former Chairman, Bechtel Greater China, 1990 Institute

Ed. Note: see sidebar graphic above

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6082251&lang=en