Anti-Chinese sentiment to rise in the near future?

[Wstfgl]

It could just be in Australia, if at all, but I have a feeling that in the foreseeable future, there will be a great surge of anti-Chinese racism.

The People's Republic of China is becoming increasingly aggressive and recently attempted to hack the Prime Minister's email account. The news has been flooded with scandals recently uncovering Chinese attempts to exercise its soft power in Australia. Basically, it seems like there's a whiff of the Red Scare returning here - and I don't even think it's totally unjustified.

Another problem I see is that the majority of Chinese tend to stick to their own community and refuse to integrate. Being of Chinese background, I have noticed that the Chinese community seem very reluctant and sometimes even hostile towards the idea of integrating into wider society, whereas other ethnic communities (other than Aboriginals) tend not to have such a level of reluctance to do so. And quite a few still give their loyalty to the PRC and not the nation they reside in, i.e. Australia. I think that's concerning.

What I fear is a return of "yellow peril" sentiment. I personally consider myself assimiliated into Australian culture; I speak only English, I have lost just about every connection to the Chinese community other than my parents, and I have become a member of Liberal Party of Australia (down under, that's the equivalent of the Conservative Party). I think of myself as Australian. But I also know that I am in the definite minority in this sense, and I believe that it's likely that what with the beginnings of fear of the PRC and the fact that most Chinese in this country are so detached, there is a lot of fertile ground for racial hatred to grow.


So I suppose what I am asking you all is:
a. am I correct in thinking that anti-Chinese sentiment will rise soon?
b. is there anything I can do about this? (just on a personal scale, I'm not planning to reshape the nation)

 

[Sharpteeth]

A. Maybe. It's possible that as China becomes more powerful, they'll be made fun of (like the U.S.) but not exactly hated.

B. Be nice to people. And donate some money to me, that'd be good too.

 

[Misty]

people detest hegemons.

 

[Polis4rule]

But I also know that I am in the definite minority in this sense, and I believe that it's likely that what with the beginnings of fear of the PRC and the fact that most Chinese in this country are so detached, there is a lot of fertile ground for racial hatred to grow

I think this sums up why people hold such views about minority groups. Being in the US, we have plenty of contact with minority races and minority ethnic groups. What also doesn't help is the fact that China is an up and coming great power and is trying to show that this is the fact; they do attempt to exert its relative "soft power" over nations that are not as powerful as it. That's why many people hate the US; the last polls I saw was that most people hate US foreign policy, and not the people of the country, even though Americans are for better sake "disliked" in numerous countries.

Of course, there would be a lot less anti-Chinese sentiment if the Chinese came over and immediately became immersed in the culture of their host. That would be the same for all immigrant groups, and in my opinion, is why many people over here dislike immigrants; of course, that is asking way too much of people, especially if they do not speak the host country's language, etc.

Anyway, that is just my two cents. Rip it to shreds if you feel fit (and sorry if it seems a little discombobulated, as my mind is a little racy right now >.>)

 

[Lexite]

I like the Chinese, yes I would like it if they would socalize more with the rest of the world, but thats their own thing and its fine. I greatly dislike the Chines Government as I do with any Communistic Government for their horrible treatment of their own people, but I will never ever be against the people of the country.

 

[CaptKirby]

That is true Misty, but past anti-country sentiment (the US banned the Chinese for like fifty years) always fuels these things further.

 

[Onii]

a. Unfortunately, probably yes. It's not just the actions of the Chinese Government, but other factors as well. There's the declining economy, for instance, which means that people are going to be extra touchy about "jobs not going to locals", which brings along with it resentment of immigration and outsourcing (even if the jobs probably aren't going to China anymore).

Also, you mentioned lack of assimilation. I would say that it's a matter of time. As far as I know, Chinese immigration only really started taking off in the 80s and 90s, so it would be difficult to the first-generation immigrants who come here as adults to "fully integrate". But the second generation, the Chinese kids who grow up here in Australia are definitely going to be fully assimilated, and (hopefully) give people a more positive impression.

The problem is, there is another group that pushes perception the other way -- the international students. However, I don't think it's entirely their fault. Many of them don't speak English very well because their teachers don't speak it well either. The thing is, this group is either too scared or simply doesn't want to assimilate.

b. Solutions? Well, if you know anyone in that last group, then help them to improve their English, and encourage them to get to know more local people. If not, we can only try and shape the perceptions of those around us, by talking to them and showing them that we're not so different after all.

 

[Pokemon Red]

Another problem I see is that the majority of Chinese tend to stick to their own community and refuse to integrate.

I'm sorry, but this is wrong. Perhaps this is true of Chinese to America, Australia or European countries, but they assimilate alot to other Asia countries. Like mine, Singapore, for example. On average, there are 1 or 2 people from China in every class. I don't know what they did, but I hope people realise not all Chinese are from China and we don't get the flak for what they do.

 

[Umbreon Dan]

On average, there are 1 or 2 people from China in every class.

I live in Canada, and I don't know exactly what you mean by "class," but my four current highschool classes (about 20-30 students) have at least five Chinese people in each. Unless your "classes" consist of four-six people, our average seems to be far higher than yours.

tl;dr: I fail to see your point.

One thing I actually have noticed, though, is that Chinese students tend to hang out in Chinese groups, and often they speak a Chinese language amongst themselves. There was a Congregation thread not so long ago about this; do you suppose Chinese people speaking Mandarin with each other makes people who don't understand the language feel excluded and anti-Chinese?

 

[Pokemon Red]

I live in Canada, and I don't know exactly what you mean by "class," but my four current highschool classes (about 20-30 students) have at least five Chinese people in each. Unless your "classes" consist of four-six people, our average seems to be far higher than yours.

My college classes have around 20 students on average. I'm pretty surprise your average is that much higher, are all those Chinese you said from China?

tl;dr: I fail to see your point.

Is this addressed to me?

One thing I actually have noticed, though, is that Chinese students tend to hang out in Chinese groups, and often they speak a Chinese language amongst themselves. There was a Congregation thread not so long ago about this; do you suppose Chinese people speaking Mandarin with each other makes people who don't understand the language feel excluded and anti-Chinese?

I live in a country where Chinese is the majority, so I can't say. I tend to hear complains that foreign-born Chinese don't use Mandarin as much as they should and as a result lost the ability to speak fluently in it, so I'm surprised to hear that they hang out in their own groups and alienated other people by speaking Mandarin. Unless, of course, they're people that have been living in their own country for years and only recently migrated to foreign countries to study. Then, I think they should be given a little lee-way as after all they are exposed to a whole new environment and seeking out people that will make them feel secure is only natural.

 

[LoveDensity]

Another problem I see is that the majority of Chinese tend to stick to their own community and refuse to integrate. Being of Chinese background, I have noticed that the Chinese community seem very reluctant and sometimes even hostile towards the idea of integrating into wider society, whereas other ethnic communities (other than Aboriginals) tend not to have such a level of reluctance to do so. And quite a few still give their loyalty to the PRC and not the nation they reside in, i.e. Australia. I think that's concerning.

This is not all true. I've seen Chinese people here in America looking for more Non-Chinese partners. In my city, I see a good amount of Chinese people aiming for other races. In my school, I know a lot of Chinese girls who drool over white guys. One time I went drinking with my friends and I cant believe that a lot of them dream about white guys. Also, I am a Chinese guy and I do love to integrate with other races. I find all other races attractive, but in the end though... I much more prefer an Asian women to settle down with. It is just a cultural thing for me.

What I fear is a return of "yellow peril" sentiment. I personally consider myself assimiliated into Australian culture; I speak only English, I have lost just about every connection to the Chinese community other than my parents, and I have become a member of Liberal Party of Australia (down under, that's the equivalent of the Conservative Party).

No offense, but I think all people should have their traditional culture with them somehow. Not only by looks(that aint culture at all,) but by celebrating a traditional facility or belief. It is extremely good to hear someone want to continue their traditional culture because it shows loyalty/respect to their past ancestors and historical background in my opinion.

All in all, Chinese people especially in PRC have a strong sense of pride and unison. I can't blame them for that since their past was so glorious. It would be nice to return to a similar glorious form