In fall 2012 the Dr. David Chu Program in Asia-Pacific Studies launched the inaugural Imaging the Asia-Pacific Photo Contest. Open to all students at the University of Toronto, the contest invited entrants to imagine and represent the Asia-Pacific from unique perspectives.

At a reception in late January to celebrate the new year, Dr. David Chu Professor and Director in Asia-Pacific Studies, Takashi Fujitani, announced the winning photos. The Grand Prize was awarded to Isabelle Cote, a PhD student in Political Science, for her photograph “Asia Pacific 011.” Cote took the photo during fieldwork in China, which, coincidentally, was funded by a Dr. David Chu travel award. The photo depicts a child in a red dress on a rooftop in old city, Kuqa City, Xinjiang, China.

The runner-up photos belong to fourth-year Asia-Pacific Studies student Zhiying Zhang and Rotman Finance student Edward Tse. Zhang’s photo, “Forecasts,” was taken in Koh Samui, Thailand. Tse’s photo, “Progress,” was taken in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Submissions were judged and winners chosen by Professor Fujitani and Professor Tong Lam. The winning photos will be displayed at the Asian Institute and on the upcoming new Dr. David Chu Program in Asia-Pacific Studies website. The Chu program plans to hold the photo contest every year and encourages all students at the University of Toronto to consider entering the next contest. Details will be announced in fall 2013.

Asia-Pacific 011, by Isabelle Cote. “On the roof, old city, Kuqa city, Xinjiang, China.”

Forecasts, by Zhiying Zhang. “The unpredictable and changeable tropical weather reminds one of the bittersweet relationships among the Asian neighbours.”

Progress, by Edward Tse. “Change, as it approaches the old apartments of Kowloon. The old apartments are being neglected as tenants anticipate the purchase of their property by developers.”