Chinese-Americans voice concerns about discrimination amid China-US tensions
發佈日期: 2025-06-07 20:48
TVB News
Amid increasingly strained China-U.S. relations, more Chinese Americans fear a rising tide of xenophobia is spreading across the United States.
That has also prompted some to consider whether to stay in the U.S. or return to Asia.
About 60,000 Asian Americans reside in Monterey Park in Los Angeles, making up two-thirds of the population in the area. Most of them are Chinese.
Since Donald Trump's return to the White House, Washington has introduced a string of policies targeting China.
The U.S. is also preparing to tighten visa reviews for applicants from mainland China and Hong Kong, fuelling fears among local Chinese communities that they may be the next group being singled out.
THOMAS WONG, Mayor of Monterey Park: "I remember back to President Trump's first term where he intentionally stoked a lot of anti-Asian, anti-immigrant sentiments. He's doing some of the same things now and he's empowered some people as well that are doing the same. I'm very worried that we'll see a rise in anti-Asian, anti-Chinese, anti-immigrant sentiments."
Many Chinese Americans now feel uncertain about their future in the U.S. with some considering moving elsewhere.
They include Francis Cheng, who moved from Hong Kong to the U.S. in 2021 working in banking with his green card application still pending.
He said with rising tensions between China and the U.S., he couldn't help but wonder what if people grow more hostile towards Chinese people.
Alex Lu arrived in the U.S. in 2022 through a talent immigration scheme, being the CEO of a clean energy startup.
He said the U.S. is appealing to immigrants because the "rules" of the game there are the fairest and there is better air quality, and more living space.
Still, in California, anti-Chinese sentiment traces back to the late 19th century.
The Chinese Exclusion Act was enacted in 1882 and wasn't repealed until 1943.
Hong Kong-born Anders Fung, the mayor of Millbrae in the San Francisco Bay Area, said America cannot go backward to a time when immigrants were feared or shunned.
He said the truth is most Americans today are descendants of immigrants and "we must continue to protect this core value."
