People in the Know Spring Festival Editions: 30 Years of Sino-US Relations

According to government records in the United States, the first Chinese people to arrive in that country landed in 1820.  It was said at that time there were only about 1,000 Chinese people in the United States.  However, thanks to the gold rush and the building of railways, the US saw a massive influx of migrant from China.  And while Chinese migration to the United States slowed significantly over the following decades, the reform and opening up of China in the 1980's created a new wave of Chinese people again heading to the United States.  And today, there are some 3.5 million people of Chinese decent living and contributing to the American society.  So what are the challenges that Chinese people face living in America? 

Ni hao, you're listening to  People In the Know , your window into the world around you, online at crienglish.com here on China Radio International.  In this edition of the program we're discussing Chinese people's contribution to the United States.  So let's get started.

(Music)

First let's hear from a Chinese in California.  Leland Yee is a California State Senator who was originally born in Guangdong.

(Dialogue with Yee)

And after a short break, we'll talk with the head of a Chinese group in the US.

(Promo)

Ni hao, you're listening to  People In the Know , your window into the world around you, online at crienglish.com here on China Radio International.  I'm Paul James in Beijing.  In this edition of the program we're discussing Chinese people's contributions to the United States.  For more on this we're joined on the line now by Ms. Alice Mong, Executive Director of the Committee of 100.

(Dialogue with Mong)

And with that we close out this edition of  People In the Know , online at crienglish.com here on China Radio International.  While demographically they only make up about 1.2 percent of the total population of the country, there can be little doubt as to the impact and influence Chinese people have had on American society.  Questions or comments for us can be sent to people@cri.com.cn or you can log onto our forum on crienglish.com by clicking on Talk China then finding the People In the Know section.  For Executive Director Zhao Yang and Producers Chen Mo and Xu Yang, I'm Paul James in Beijing.  We'll talk to you tomorrow.