In this era of globalization, more and more Chinese choose to leave their motherland and seek development opportunities overseas. According to statistics, as of 2023, the number of Chinese in the United States has reached 5.4 million, accounting for 1.7% of the total population of the United States.
This number is growing, and every year a large number of Chinese go to the United States to study, work and settle. So, what is it that attracts them to leave their hometown and start a new life in a foreign country? What is their life like in the United States?
Footprints of history
Speaking of the history of Chinese immigration to the United States, it is really a history of blood and tears. At the beginning of the 19th century, the United States was still a wild land, and a large number of laborers were urgently needed to develop it. Thus, the first Chinese immigrants set foot on American soil.
Most of these Chinese immigrants are male laborers, who have come to the United States through various channels, either directly recruited by American companies, or smuggled through intermediaries, in short, by all means.
In this strange land, they did the hardest and most dangerous work, building railways and mining gold, just to earn food and send some money to their families.
However, they are not welcomed in American society. White workers looked down on these cheap laborers and felt that they were robbing them of their jobs. Thus, discrimination and exclusion began.
Chinese immigrants are often bullied and abused at work, and their wages are much lower than those of white workers. What's even more odious is that in 1882, the U.S. government actually promulgated the "Chinese Exclusion Act", which directly restricted the number and rights of Chinese immigrants.
Imagine how desperate and helpless it must be if you finally come to a strange country and want to make a career with great hope, only to be discriminated against and excluded everywhere, and you don't even have the most basic rights!
However, Chinese immigrants were not knocked down by difficulties. They have brought into play the excellent qualities of the Chinese nation's industriousness and tenacity, looking for opportunities in the face of adversity and surviving in the cracks. They came together and established their own community, Chinatown, in the big cities of the United States.
Chinatown became a haven for Chinese immigrants. They can speak their own language, forget about the discrimination and exclusion outside for a while, and feel a little bit of home.
But Chinatown is a small world after all, and outside of Chinatown, racial discrimination and exclusion are still pervasive. Many Chinese immigrants can only survive on the fringes of society, doing the lowest jobs and living the most difficult lives.
It was not until after the end of World War II that the situation improved. With the easing of Sino-US relations, the U.S. policy on Chinese immigrants has also begun to relax.
More and more highly educated and skilled Chinese are beginning to immigrate to the United States. They have made remarkable achievements in various fields such as technology, education, and business.
At the same time, the number of female Chinese immigrants is also increasing. They are no longer willing to accept the role of housewives, and they have begun to go out into society and shine in all walks of life.
A new generation of Chinese immigrants pursuing their dreams
The advent of the 21st century has brought a new wave of Chinese immigration. This generation of Chinese immigrants is very different from their predecessors.
Most of them are the generation that grew up after the reform and opening up, are well-educated, and have good economic conditions. They choose to immigrate to the United States, not only to pursue higher incomes, but also to pursue their dreams and find new possibilities in life.
In recent years, China has become the third largest source of migrants after Mexico and India. Groups of outstanding Chinese youths, with their yearning for the United States and their longing for the future, have set foot on this land of dreams.
For them, America means opportunity and freedom. Here, they can be exposed to culture and values that are completely different from those in China, can learn the most cutting-edge knowledge and technology, and can fully display their talents in a more open and inclusive environment.
Lu Junyi, an international student interviewed by the BBC, revealed that he wanted to stay in the United States, and he had a dream of seeing the world, which drove him to choose to study in the United States.
Not only does the U.S. have a world-class communication program, but the master's program is relatively longer, which gives him more time to experience different cultures.
During his studies in Los Angeles, Lu Junyi lived in a diversified "bubble". The USC campus brings together students from all over the world, and the impact of the geopolitical climate seems far away from him. Since the pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of Chinese students applying to his major.
When he thinks about where he wants to go after graduation, he prefers to choose Asian-friendly American cities, but as an academic, there are not many options for where to work, and he often needs to go where he works.
Lui aspires to live a life where he can support himself and his family, and contribute to the community. Coming from a coal city in China, his background led him to study coal and the energy transition.
He knew very well that, at least for now, he didn't want to do a 9-to-5 job anymore. Although the academic world is not perfect, he enjoys the autonomy of his own time, even if he works late into the night, and can sleep in the next day.
On the question of whether to return to China, Lu Junyi is currently more inclined to stay in the United States temporarily, but does not rule out the possibility of returning to China at some point in the future.
He quoted the poetry of the Song Dynasty poet Su Shi to illustrate his thoughts: being in it, but not seeing things as they are. He believes that an outside perspective may be more conducive to his insight into the current situation in China.
In Lu Junyi's view, the current Chinese society is in a period of transition, and many things are undergoing reshuffling and mapping. In the post-pandemic era, the focus of people's lives may change, especially the younger generation, who are facing anxiety and confusion. But it's also an opportunity to reposition.
But now in the United States, the life of Chinese is not as good as this international student imagined. On the surface, the average Chinese income is $99,000, but this is only an average figure and is not representative of the real life situation of all Chinese.
A closer look at the type of work of the Chinese reveals the problem. The largest number of Chinese are engaged in the catering industry, accounting for 12.3%. This type of work requires less education and skills from practitioners, and the income level is naturally not too high. Although programmers, education and training and other occupations rank second and third, their proportion is much lower than that of the catering industry.
Even though the income of Chinese is relatively high, the cost of living in the United States is not low. The cost of renting, eating, entertainment and other aspects are much higher than those in China. In order to save money, many Chinese have to live in small rooms, or even huddle their families into a small space, which greatly reduces their quality of life.
According to statistics, nearly four Chinese in the United States do not have their own houses and can only rent houses. And rent is a big expense. In order to alleviate the financial pressure, some Chinese have to choose to live in a mixed way. In these cheap mixed homes, there is little independent living space for each other, and the environment is very chaotic.
Chinatown, where Chinese people gather, is the place where the problem is concentrated. Many Chinese immigrants followed the previous generation of parents to live and thrive here.
But as time passed, the buildings in Chinatown became old and even dilapidated. The Chinese with good living conditions have moved out, while those who remain are doing ordinary jobs, with meager incomes, and living in a stretched balance, so they have to choose to live together.
So, since the lives of these Chinese people are so difficult, why would they rather endure the dilemma of "mixed living" than return to China for development? Is there a deeper reason?
Identity and Belonging
For Chinese immigrants, it is important to pursue their dreams, but in the process, they often face the dilemma of identity and cultural belonging.
For the Chinese immigrants, they have crossed the ocean to a new country, surrounded by different languages, different customs, and values.
Although I try to adapt to a new life and integrate into this society every day, deep down, I still feel attached to my hometown and my mother culture.
This is the true portrayal of many Chinese immigrants. They live, work, and even start a family in the United States, but the imprint of Chinese culture has been deeply engraved in their bones and has become part of their identity.
But the issue of cultural identity is more complex and acute for the generation of Chinese Americans born and raised in the United States.
They have been educated in the United States since childhood, speak fluent English, and are knowledgeable about American culture and values. But at the same time, they live in Chinese families and communities, and they are deeply influenced by Chinese culture.
This leads to contradictions and struggles over their cultural identity. Are they Americans, or are they Chinese? Or are they a special group: Chinese-Americans?
Every Chinese individual must find their own answer. Some choose to embrace American culture in its entirety and gradually dilute their Chinese identity, while others struggle to find a balance between the two cultures and form an eclectic mix of identities.
In addition to cultural factors, there is another important reason why some Chinese immigrants choose to stay in the United States, and that is to prefer a more liberal world.
A Chinese girl said that in contrast, the more transparent and fair social environment in the United States has given her more opportunities. Here, they are free to express their opinions, quit when they find a job they don't like, or seek help from unions when they are oppressed.
A relatively free and relaxed working atmosphere is the pursuit of many young people, but in China, most ordinary young people are doing "996" jobs, and sometimes they have to face the company's oppression, have to work overtime, and there is no overtime pay, and at the same time they have to work hard every day, have little rest time, and dare not easily change jobs, which will make them feel that life lacks fun.
Of course, this does not mean that Chinese immigrants will not face difficulties in the United States. In fact, issues such as racial discrimination, cultural barriers, and language barriers all test their will and determination at all times.
epilogue
From 19th-century laborers to 21st-century elites, generations of Chinese have carved out their own horizons in the United States. With their diligence and wisdom, they have won respect and recognition, and they have inherited their culture in a foreign country and built a bridge of exchange between China and the United States.
However, their journey has not been without its challenges. Racism, identity, clash of cultures...... Every Chinese immigrant must face these challenges head-on, find themselves in the struggle, and grow in the grinding.