Innovative Format Enhances Competitive Level, Over 100 Alumni Participate in Los Angeles Event
Los Angeles, California, USA. May 16, 2026. The 5th Annual North American College Alliance Double-Player Dual-Bet Guandan Tournament, hosted by the North American College Alliance (NACUAA), organized by the North American College Alliance Guandan Club, sponsored by the American Love Star Group, and with venue sponsorship from XAVVI e-commerce platform, was held in Downtown Los Angeles. This unprecedented event attracted over 100 participants from Southern California, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Innovative "Dual-Bet Double-Player Format," Setting a New Benchmark for Fairness and Professionalism
This tournament introduced the advanced "Dual-Bet Double-Player Format" for the first time in North America. This tournament format, based on the traditional Swiss-system scoring rules, uses a computer system to pre-generate hand records, ensuring that all tables use the same six hands in the same round. This effectively avoids the randomness of special hand types and card dealing, comprehensively guaranteeing the fairness of the game. The scoring rules have also been finely adjusted, comparing East-West and North-South directions separately, using the truncated average as the boundary to determine the round's winner, thus focusing more on testing the participating teams' teamwork and pure card skills.
The organizing committee's independently developed and improved automatic table assignment and scoring system has achieved intelligent management, comprehensively enhancing the professionalism, fairness, and efficiency of the tournament, marking a new level in the organization of North American Guandan tournaments.
Highlights of the Tournament: Friendship, Competition, and Cultural Exchange
The event officially began at 9:30 AM. After player registration, Chen Zheng, President of the North American University Alliance, delivered the opening speech and presented small gifts to the guests. Subsequently, Chief Referee Robin Ding announced the tournament rules, and President Chen Zheng officially declared the start of the tournament.
The atmosphere was lively, with participants displaying composure, calmness, and excellent teamwork, showcasing the unique charm of Guandan (a popular Chinese card game) in the intense competition and deepening the bonds between alumni. Lu Chunyu, the current chairperson of the American Chinese Political Alliance, and a team of volunteer women dressed in qipao (traditional Chinese dresses) also attended the event, adding a vibrant touch to the competition.
Winners Announced: Five Rounds of Intense Competition, the Ultimate Showdown
The 5th Annual North American University Alliance Doubles Double-Player Guandan Tournament brought together alumni from many renowned Chinese universities. After five rounds of intense competition, the final winners are as follows:
Champion: Awarded prize money, trophy, and medal
Zhai Guangping, alumnus of Nanjing Normal University, and Jay Ding, alumnus of Donghua University
Runner-up: Awarded $400 prize money, runner-up trophy, and medal
Ding Xin, alumnus of Harbin Institute of Technology, and Bessie Chen, alumnus of Beijing University of International Business and Economics
Guest Remarks and Significance of the Tournament
In her address, Chen Zheng, President of the North American University Alliance, pointed out that Guandan is not only an intellectual competition but also a bridge promoting cultural exchange and the continuation of friendship. She stated that the tournament effectively facilitated mutual learning and understanding among alumni from different universities and regions, fully demonstrating the unity and enthusiasm of the North American Chinese community.
Chief Referee Robin Ding then emphasized, "The introduction of the two-player duplicate format is another major innovation following the previous four-player team duplicate format. It aims to minimize the impact of luck on the competition results, making the competition fairer and more professional, and setting a new benchmark for future North American Guandan tournaments."
Finally, Chairperson Chen Zheng expressed special thanks to the club organizing committee members for their tremendous efforts before the tournament, including Honorary Chairperson Jiang Jianliang, Honorary Advisor Zhang Lei, and Club Vice Chairperson Tammy Tang, who made significant contributions to the pre-tournament format discussions and preparations. She also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the volunteer team for their selfless dedication, whose efforts were key to the tournament's success.
Acknowledgements to Sponsors and Partners
The success of this tournament would not have been possible without the generous support of various individuals. The organizers would like to express special thanks to:
● Title Sponsor: Ms. Guo Lan, Chairperson of American Love Star Group
● Venue Sponsor: Xavvi E-commerce Company
● Sponsor: US MSME Quantum AI Beauty and Health
Thanks to all sponsors and partners for making this tournament more diverse, exciting, and a resounding success! "Playing Guandan teaches you about life, and life is like playing Guandan." The successful hosting of the 5th North American University Alliance Guandan Tournament not only showcased teamwork and competitive wisdom but also strengthened the deep friendship and unity among alumni. In the future, the North American University Alliance will continue to promote Guandan culture, building a platform for North American alumni to meet, grow, and exchange ideas, spreading the warmth of Chinese culture in a joyful atmosphere.
About North American University Alliance (NACUAA) and North American University Alliance Guandan Club
The North American University Alliance, established on January 1, 2023, is a non-profit organization composed of individual alumni, alumni associations, and student societies from higher education institutions; it is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization officially registered with the California government. Its official California government registered name is: NORTH AMERICA CHINESE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ALLIANCE (NACUAA), and its Chinese name is 北美大学联盟 (North American University Alliance), formerly known as 【北美大学联会 (North American University Federation)】.
Currently, it includes alumni from 18 regions including Southern California, Northern California (including Silicon Valley), New York, Washington D.C., Houston, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Nevada, Seattle, Minnesota, Vancouver, and Toronto. It comprises 19 clubs and 3 professional committees, covering areas such as literature, calligraphy and painting, English speech, and sports. Its mission is to build a bridge of communication, mutual assistance, information sharing, and collaborative development among alumni of North American universities. It provides assistance to alumni living in North America in areas such as job skills, entrepreneurship, daily life, hobby development, homeownership, networking, and hardship relief. Its service objectives are: 1) Serving alumni in North America; 2) Enhancing the image of the overseas Chinese community; 3) Serving the community; 4) Strengthening the influence of the Asian community; 5) Supporting the education and development of the next generation of alumni; and 6) Inheriting and promoting Chinese culture.
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by Art Hearts Fashion, Chinese American Cultural Exchange Association, MDSUN, XAVVI, Shennel Trading, Crab Grabber, ISEGSTAR, World Peace One, Cynthia Clarté, InLight Foundation, Jiannan Huang Art Institute, and The Beverly Arts Foundation
- The Beverly Arts
- May 14
Updated: Jun 20
Attorney Peter Bibring, journalist Georgia Fort, and Clayton Weimers, North America Director for Reporters without Borders
Los Angeles, California, USA. 3rd May, 2026. Reporters Without Borders (RSF – Reporters Sans Frontières) and the Los Angeles Press Club (LAPC) hosted an event in Los Angeles celebrating World Press Freedom Day. The event featured panel discussions with experts addressing the current state of press freedom, including recent developments affecting domestic and international journalism. Members of the Los Angeles Beverly Arts (LABA) organization were also in attendance including TV host Joey Zhou, founder of the Los Angeles Beverly Arts (LABA), Professor Lingyun Xiang, producer Tina Liu, artist Yun Wang, and LABA coordinator Natalie Chen.
Speakers Mariel Garza, Georgia Fort, Peter Bibring, Adam Rose, and Clayton Weimers
The event brought together journalists, media professionals, advocates, and members of the community for thoughtful discussions about the evolving challenges facing journalists. The gathering created an opportunity for open dialogue on the role of independent media in democratic societies. Some of the topics covered included:
Attacks on press freedom worldwide
Protection of journalists
Governmental pressures
Social media and misinformation
Safety of reporters covering protests and conflicts
Journalism and AI
Mariel Garza, Lucas Shaw, and Adam Rose
The Event Speakers:
Meher Tatna - Past president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), journalist, producer, and prominent advocate for diversity in media. She is widely recognized for her contributions to entertainment journalism and her leadership role within the HFPA organization during the time Golden Globe Awards.
Adam Rose – Deputy Director of Advocacy for the Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF). Rose has more than 20 years of experience as a journalist and editor for media organizations including LAist, the Los Angeles Times, HuffPost, and CBS/Paramount.
Georgia Fort – A three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and prominent media figure in Minnesota. Fort drew national attention after federal agents arrested her at her home following her coverage of an ICE protest. She continues to advocate for press freedom and the protection of journalists nationwide.
Mariel Garza – Former LAPC board member and respected leader in the local journalism community. Garza served as an opinion editor for several California publications and resigned from the Los Angeles Times after the newspaper blocked the editorial board from endorsing a presidential candidate.
Lucas Shaw – Oversees media and entertainment coverage for Bloomberg News in Los Angeles and authors the award-winning Screentime newsletter. Shaw covers the intersection of Hollywood and Silicon Valley, providing insight into corporate media ownership and the evolving entertainment industry.
Peter Bibring – Attorney and First Amendment advocate, Bibring has represented the LAPC and individual journalists in several landmark legal cases. He has secured federal injunctions against ICE, Border Patrol, and the LAPD to protect journalists’ ability to report freely.
Clayton Weimers (North America Director, RSF) – Presented the RSF's annual World Press Freedom Index, including a map illustrating varying levels of press freedom by country. He oversees an office which monitors press freedom across English-speaking North America and advances RSF's global priorities to advocate for journalist safety and everyone's right to information.
Journalist Georgia Fort and Clayton Weimers (North America Director, RSF)
Meher Tatner, past president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA)
Following the panel discussions, the audience members participated in a lively question-and-answer session. The event concluded with renewed calls for protecting journalistic independence and supporting journalists and media professionals working under increasing political, safety, and technological challenges. Speakers emphasized that a free and independent press remains fundamental to democratic society and global human rights.
Joey Zhou, founder of TBA News and LAPC member
About Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders (RSF – Reporters Sans Frontières) is an international nonprofit and nongovernmental organization headquartered in Paris, France, dedicated to defending freedom of information and press freedom worldwide. Founded in 1985 in Montpellier by four journalists, RSF operates on the principle that everyone has the right to access and share news and information freely, consistent with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The organization holds consultative status with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, and the International Organisation of the Francophonie.
About the Los Angeles Press Club
The Los Angeles Press Club supports, promotes, and defends quality journalism throughout Southern California. The organization works to encourage excellence in journalism while engaging the public in recognizing the importance of a free press in a democratic society. In addition, the Press Club provides opportunities for journalists to gather, network, and learn from one another through professional events and programs. The Los Angeles Press Club is the only organization in Southern California representing journalists across newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and digital media.
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by Art Hearts Fashion, Mogo, MDSUN, XAVVI, Shennel Trading, Crab Grabber, ISEGSTAR, World Peace One, Chinese American Cultural Exchange Association, InLight Foundation, Jiannan Huang Art Institute, and The Beverly Arts Foundation
LABA coordinator Natalie Chen, TV host Joey Zhou, founder of Los Angeles Beverly Arts (LABA), Chairman of One Humanity Foundation Evan Klassen, Professor Lingyun Xiang, and NeckerVibes co-founder Simon Bogdanowicz (photo credit: Eugene Powers)
LOS ANGELES, California, USA – May 5, 2026. Against the backdrop of a stunning Los Angeles sunset, an exclusive, invitation-only charity dinner titled "Show Up: One Night for One Humanity" unfolded at a breathtaking private residence in Beverly Hills. Serving as the core humanistic satellite event during the 2026 MILKEN Institute Global Conference week, the evening was proudly hosted by the One Humanity Foundation. Centered on the vital mission to "Show Up" for mental health, for someone you care about," the event brought together the world's top entrepreneurs, distinguished scholars, media luminaries, and artistic pioneers.
Chairman of One Humanity Foundation Evan Klassen and Professor Lingyun Xiang (photo credit: Eugene Powers)
"The Right Room": Top-Tier Business Logic Meets Profound Humanistic Care
The promotional poster for the "Show Up" dinner featured a powerful and evocative slogan: "The right room. One moment. That moves the world." This phrase not only accurately captured the elite caliber of the attendees but also profoundly interpreted the modern concept of "business for good." At the event, Evan Klassen, Chairman of the One Humanity Foundation, and prominent figures such as Professor Lingyun Xiang engaged in high-frequency, cross-sector dialogues. When business elites and academic luminaries—equipped with abundant resources and forward-looking visions—gathered together, the focus shifted from traditional corporate profitability to more socially valuable ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals and the global mental health crisis. Here, philanthropy was elevated beyond simple donations; it was endowed with the wisdom of top-level design, aiming to solve deep-seated societal pain points by establishing a sustainable, long-term charitable ecosystem.
TV host Joey Zhou, founder of LABA and NeckerVibes co-founder Simon Bogdanowicz (photo credit: Eugene Powers)
TV host Joey Zhou, founder of LABA (photo credit: Eugene Powers)
Cross-Sector Resonance: Media and Artistic Forces Illuminate the Path for Mental Health
Promoting mental health awareness relies heavily on widespread media coverage and profound artistic resonance. The attendance of TV host Joey Zhou, founder of LABA, injected powerful cultural and media momentum into the event. In the relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere of the private estate, media leaders engaged in profound exchanges with innovative entrepreneurs like NeckerVibes co-founder Simon Bogdanowicz. This cross-disciplinary collision of ideas broke through the traditional communication barriers of charity events, exploring a novel path that leverages "celebrity influence and artistic appeal" to awaken public awareness of mental health issues.
LABA Coordinator Natalie Chen and NeckerVibes co-founder Simon Bogdanowicz (photo credit: Eugene Powers)
Forging the Power of Good: A Heartwarming Footnote to the MILKEN Conference Week
During the MILKEN Institute Global Conference week—a time traditionally dominated by global economic decision-makers—the "Show Up" charity night provided a remarkably rare, intimate space filled with warmth and reflection. Attendees, whether scholars, media professionals, or notable figures such as celebrity photographer Jim Jordan and entrepreneur Craig A. Handley, reached a powerful consensus on this cohesive night: in today's era of relentless commercial development and technological advancement, the mental well-being and mutual support of humanity serve as the ultimate foundation for sustainable social progress. This dinner not only successfully galvanized attention and resources for the mental health cause but also set a groundbreaking new paradigm for high-net-worth networking, one deeply rooted in being "human-centric and utilizing technology for good."
Article Contributors: Natalie Chen, Professor Lingyun Xiang, and Joey Zhou
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by Art Hearts Fashion, Crab Grabber, ISEGSTAR, World Peace One, MDSUN, XAVVI, Shennel Trading, InLight Foundation, Cynthia Clarté, Jiannan Huang Art Institute, Liu Chun Art Studio in Beverly, and The Beverly Arts Foundation