The Heat discusses celebrating Spring Festival in the US

The Heat

New York City's Chinatown Celebrates Start Of Chinese New Year CelebrationsNEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 19: Revelers celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year on February 19, 2015 in New York City. Depending on the translation in to English, the animal that marks the year 2015 is up for debate: goat, sheep and ram have all been used. Andrew Burton/Getty Images/AFP

From New York to San Francisco, Chinese communities in the United States are celebrating Spring Festival. But how much progress are Chinese Americans making in the U.S? And, what goals lie ahead?

As in China, Chinese Americans are also observing the Lunar New Year with lots of pride and celebration. Close to four million Chinese Americans now live in the United States. Their main population centers are New York and California.

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And while the Chinese have played an important part in the history and development of America, over the years it’s been a struggle to assert their identity. That is changing and there was a major breakthrough in New York recently. What are some of the big social issues and challenges that Chinese Americans are confronting today?

Our guests helped to answer:

  • Chiling Tong is the founder and CEO of the International Leadership Foundation. She also a member of the Board of Directors and the Policy Committee Chair of Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce.
  • Nily Rozic is a New York State Assemblywoman.

Evan Low is a Member of California’s State Assembly. And, he’s one of the youngest Asian American legislators ever elected to such a position.

Congresswoman Judy Chu is the first Chinese American woman elected to the United States Congress.