A recent survey conducted by the non-profit Committee of 100 in collaboration with the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center has revealed a disturbing trend: a majority of Chinese Americans believe the US government is failing to adequately address the discrimination they face. The survey, which polled 504 Chinese-American adults, points to the escalating tensions between the US and China as a major contributing factor to this growing sense of unease.
The report, published by the South China Morning Post, highlights the detrimental effects of the strained US-China relationship on the mental health and well-being of Chinese Americans. Respondents, particularly younger and female individuals, are struggling with mental health issues stemming from racial discrimination. Sam Collitt, a research and data scientist with the Committee of 100, emphasized the alarming number of responses that highlighted the mental health toll of discrimination, directly linking it to the deteriorating US-China relationship.
The survey further reveals that nine in ten Asian-Americans perceive the US-China relationship negatively, with nearly two-thirds believing this perception affects how they are treated by others. This sentiment extends to the handling of violence against their communities, with over half of the respondents expressing dissatisfaction with the federal government’s response.
Adding to the growing anxieties, the survey found that four out of five Chinese Americans are concerned about the language used by 2024 presidential candidates regarding China and US-China relations, fearing that this rhetoric fosters prejudice against them. The Committee of 100 recommends greater investment in mental health services and comprehensive data collection on hate crimes to effectively address these pressing issues.
These survey findings come amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions between the US and China, fueled by political rhetoric and policy decisions. For instance, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris clashed over China policy during the presidential debates, with Harris criticizing Trump’s tariff policies and Trump defending his stance. Stephen Roach, a senior fellow at Yale Law School and former chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia, has also voiced concern over the increasingly hostile stance towards China adopted by the US government, warning of the potential for “Sinophobia” to have disastrous consequences.
The survey results serve as a stark reminder of the real-world impact of political rhetoric and policy decisions on communities within the US. It underscores the importance of addressing discrimination and fostering an inclusive society for all Americans, particularly as tensions between the US and China continue to escalate.
