Asian Hall of Fame celebrates Chinese-heritage leaders in Los Angeles

The Asian Hall of Fame honored its Class of 2025 on Saturday at The Biltmore in Los Angeles, California celebrating a distinguished group of leaders whose professional achievements and public profiles have reshaped mainstream American life and elevated Asian heritage voices across business, government, sport and culture.

This year's honorees — including Fiona Ma, William Wang, Yao Ming and Michelle Kwan — exemplify diverse paths to influence in America, spanning state-level public finance, consumer-technology entrepreneurship, athletic excellence and diplomacy.

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma was recognized for her stewardship of state finances and her visible public leadership, marking a milestone for Chinese Americans in government. She shared her heritage as the daughter of Chinese immigrants who settled in the United States.

"Both my parents came from China," Ma told China Daily. Born and raised in New York, she is the eldest of three children of Chinese immigrants. Her grandfather, Lieutenant General Ma Zhen, was the first mayor of Kunming, Yunnan province, and of Bai ethnicity.

A member of the Democratic Party, Ma was the first Asian American woman to serve as speaker pro tempore of the California Assembly, the second-highest position in the assembly.

"As an Asian American woman, I've had to overcome 'glass and bamboo ceilings' in my career. So I've also tried to do that for the next generation of leaders," said Ma, who is running for lieutenant governor in 2026.

As California's treasurer, Ma manages billions in public funds. Her long career through local and state offices has made her a symbol of Asian American civic leadership in a state with the nation's largest Asian population. Observers say her public service reflects how representation in government can foster public trust and inclusion.

"California, the world's fourth-largest economy if it were a country, is deeply intertwined with global markets, including China, one of our largest trading partners," Ma said. "Trade policy and cross-border engagement have tangible impacts on jobs, prices and economic well-being."

She added that restoring business, student and cultural exchanges with China, improving logistics, and welcoming foreign investment are key to boosting competitiveness and easing the cost-of-living pressures faced by Californians.

William Wang, a Taiwan-born founder of Vizio, represents the economic and cultural influence that Chinese-heritage entrepreneurs have made in everyday American life.

Wang's leadership helped popularize affordable smart televisions and consumer electronics across US households, a contribution that reshaped how Americans access and enjoy entertainment.

"My father is from Shandong, my mother from Hebei, and my wife is Indonesian Chinese," Wang said. "When I started my business, I had only one idea: to make television an affordable entertainment experience for more families."

Wang's journey, noted Charlie Zhang, chairman of the Asian Hall of Fame board, embodies resilience and purpose.

"William experienced a life-changing moment after surviving a Singapore Airlines crash," Zhang said. "That experience inspired him to dedicate his life to making entertainment more accessible to people. His story stands as a shining example of the American dream in action."

Yao Ming, standing 7-foot-6, transformed basketball into a bridge for global understanding. Rising to fame in China, he joined the NBA's Houston Rockets in 2002 and became an eight-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection over eight seasons, helping globalize the league and strengthen China-US ties. A cultural icon, Yao represented China in the Olympics and has remained influential in sports and philanthropy since his retirement in 2011, according to the Asian Hall of Fame's introduction.

Michelle Kwan, born in Torrance, California to parents from Hong Kong, is the most decorated figure skater in US history and a symbol of excellence and grace. Beyond her record-setting career on the ice, she has served as US ambassador to Belize, becoming a role model for Asian American youth and a bridge between sports, culture and public service.

Although Yao and Kwan were not present at the ceremony, they both embody how athletic excellence and cross-cultural exchange continue to strengthen understanding between China and the US.

"We are proud to bring the best of Asia to the world," said Maki Hsieh, president and CEO of the Asian Hall of Fame and a voting member of the Grammy Academy Awards. "We reach out a hand of welcome to mainstream society, to public recognition and interracial friendship to get to know us, to work with us and to fall in love with Asia."

renali@chinadailyusa.com