Rooted in Our Adopted Homeland, Building the Future Together: Ethnic Chinese Are Not Outsiders, but Active Contributors and Partners in Our Shared Society
From the early migrations during the Qin and Han eras to today’s widespread global presence, Chinese immigrants have continuously taken root and contributed deeply to their host societies. They are no longer mere extensions of their ancestral homeland, nor are they “exiled wanderers” or “cultural orphans” of China. Rather, they are Ethnic Chinese—a people rooted in their countries of settlement, committed to participating in and contributing to developing those societies. They form a global community that is both locally grounded and internationally connected.
In the current era of a new Cold War and intensifying geopolitical confrontation, the collective identity crisis faced by the ethnic Chinese community cannot be ignored. To treat cultural backgrounds as security threats or to identify individuals based on race instead of citizenship would be to uproot the core values of liberal democracies. Facing discrimination, the ethnically Chinese community must not remain silent or back down, but rather respond with clarity and integrity:
- We firmly oppose the extension of international conflicts onto ethnic Chinese communities.
- We unequivocally reject the misinterpretation that cultural identity is political allegiance;
- We wish to discuss and correct systemic discriminatory policies that enforce racism in the name of “national security.”
Cultural heritage and social integration are not contradictory; they are mutually enriching. Identity is not built by abandoning tradition in exchange for acceptance, but by actively participating in consensus-building. Being ethnically Chinese should not be a symbol of being an outsider. Rather, they should be respected as the co-creators of the societies that they call home. To this end, we advocate for the advancement of three forms of reciprocal engagement:
- Mutual Cultural Understanding:
Encourage first-generation immigrants to actively learn and integrate into the cultural systems of their adopted countries, while supporting younger generations in learning Chinese traditions and history to build ethnic confidence and intercultural competence. - Shared Historical Recognition:
Promote the inclusion of Chinese immigration history in mainstream national narratives to strengthen public recognition of Chinese contributions. At the same time, deepen understanding of local history to expand the boundaries of identity and foster a broader public perspective. - Bilateral Civic Participation:
Encourage ethnic Chinese to engage in community affairs and policy development, advocating for diverse, inclusive, and fair systems, and transforming group concerns into driving forces for societal progress.
In today’s volatile and transitional global context, the future of the Chinese diaspora should not be limited to passively responding to the shocks of the times. Rather, we must actively help rebuild consensus and drive social renewal. The continuation of cultural roots, a historically grounded perspective based on lived experience, and a commitment to civic responsibility are the three foundational pillars for establishing our presence today and advancing into the future. Only by embracing this vision can we walk forward with resilience and purpose, undeterred by storms ahead.