23 Asians and AAPIs among Time's 100 Most Influential people this year

Time magazine's covers used around the world to promote the Top 100 Influential People.

Time magazine named its 2020 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, which included 23 Asians and Asian Americans.

Of the 2020 Time100 list, Time CEO and editor in chief Edward Felsenthal writes:

 "This year's list looks far different than any of us could have predicted just six months ago. The Time 100 has always been a mirror of the world and those who shape it. While you will certainly find people who wield traditional power on this year's list—heads of state, CEOs, major entertainers—it also includes many extraordinary, lesser-known individuals who seized the moment to save lives, build a movement, lift the spirit, repair the world. ... Their work challenges each of us to wield our own influence toward a world that is healthier, more resilient, more sustainable and just."

It is not a surprise to see Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris on this election year list and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China's President Xi Jinping, each with a large following and global influence.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a global disaster, it's natural to expect that Dr. Anthony Fauci makes the list, however we are introduced to no less than six other lesser known Asian and Asian American medical professionals who played key roles in combatting the virus:

• Zhang Yongzhen, who led a team that published the first SARS-CoV-2 genome just days after the first cluster of cases emerged and likely within weeks of its jump into humans; 

• Shi Zhengli led one of the first scientific teams that isolated SARS-CoV-2, .; the coronavirus that went on to ravage the world;

• Dr. Zhong Nanshan, an experienced epidemiologist and physician, has been leading China’s National Health Commission’s expert panel for investigating the COVID-19 outbreak in China.  He has become the public face of China's efforts to halt the spread;

• Dr. Jung Eun-kyeong, commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), has led South Korea's quick actions led to an effective corraling of the cirus before it could spread.

• Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-Genral of the World Health Organizations; and

• Bonnie Castillo, a Filipino American nurse and leader of two powerful nurses' unions and who was among the first to point out the lack of personal protective equipment for hospital workers.

To see who else made the Time100 list, including the other AAPI and Asians who made their marks in culture, athletics, social change and politics, click here.

For the first time, Time revealed the annual Time100 list with an hour-long special television event on ABC. Produced in partnership with P&G, the Time100 broadcast special is created by Time's Emmy award-winning television and film division Time Studios along with industry leading global storyteller Done + Dusted, and is presented with exclusive premier sponsor Citi, signature sponsor Toyota Venza, and signature sponsor Smirnoff. The show is available on demand on ABC.com.

On September 23, 24 and 25, Time will host Time100 honorees for a three-part series of Time100 Talks, Time's series of virtual conversations that convenes influential leaders across fields to encourage cross-disciplinary action toward a better world.

To register and see the full lineup of speakers and performers, visit: time.com/time100-talks/