Chinese-Americans voters mobilize ahead of US election

Election 2016

Chinese-Americans voters mobilize ahead of US election

Chinese Americans are now the third largest foreign-born group in the United States.

In an election campaign polarized on immigration issues, polls show the community strongly favoring Hillary Clinton.

CCTV America’s Jessica Stone has more.

In Flushing, Queens, you can get flower-flavored tea and exchange your dollars for Chinese yuan.

It’s New York’s new Chinatown.

Meilin Tan and her son, Oliver, are loyal Republicans. Tan said the party’s values make a perfect fit with Chinese culture.

This summer, Meilin and Oliver backed Donald Trump to represent the Republican Party in the race for the White House.

Even when Trump criticized China’s trade practices and singled out Mexicans and Muslims for extra scrutiny, they stood by him.

“The Trump message is clear, right. He wants to encourage people to follow the rules,” Meilin said.

The question is – whose rules?

Jean Lau Chin, a Democrat, said the tone of Trump’s campaign reminds her of the anti-Chinese sentiment in the 1950’s.

According to the National Asian American survey, more than half of Chinese-American registered voters plan to vote for Hillary Clinton, and only 11 percent for Trump.

The passions stirred up by this campaign have got Chinese-Americans mobilizing on the Chinese messaging app, WeChat. While the polls indicate Chinese American voters are leaning heavily towards Clinton, 15 percent remain undecided.

Chinese American community is now growing in influence and finding a political voice in their new country.


John Wang on Chinese-American voters

For more on Chinese-American voters and how they could impact this year’s U.S. presidential election, CCTV America’s Mike Walter spoke with John Wang, founder and president for the Asian American Business Development Center.