Chinese Immigrants in the U.S.

By staff reporter JIAO FENG

In mid December 2011 the number of U.S. visas issued to mainland Chinese exceeded one million. The amount for 2012 is expected to top 1.3 million.

IF you love her, send her to New York, for there it is heaven; if you hate her, send her to New York, for there it is hell." This telling quote from A Beijinger in New York, a famous television soap opera in the 1990s, sums up the mixed feelings that Chinese immigrants have toward the U.S.

Since China opened to the world in the late 1970s, increasing numbers of Chinese people have been choosing to immigrate abroad either to study or to pursue a better life. The U.S. is one of the major destinations for Chinese immigrants thanks to its better living conditions, favorable social welfare and environment that reward those with drive and ability.

Such immigration has been a cornerstone of the U.S. since its very founding. Before the global financial crisis broke out the U.S. was suffering from a labor shortage and demanded a large amount of immigrants to fill the gap in supply. As domestic consumption stalls under the blight of the current economic slump, the nation is yearning all the more for immigrants with deep pockets. In October 2011, two American senators came up with a plan to revitalize the moribund U.S. housing market by giving residence visas to foreigners who spend at least $500,000 to buy a home in the U.S., a proposal that some have suggested is customized especially to attract Chinese investors.

In Pursuit of Further Study

Among the top students at his high school, Xu Yue was recommended for admission to the College of Chemistry at Peking University in 1988. However, after two years' study, Xu was made aware of the huge gap between China and the world in educational standards and achievements in scientific research. This realization spurred him to enroll at Texas A&M University in 1990 and three years later he entered the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), where he obtained his doctorate of chemistry.

"Studying in the U.S. requires students to read large amounts of sources. Instead of simply listening to instructors and taking notes, students are encouraged to participate in discussion in the class." Xu speaks highly of U.S. education. "Furthermore, essay writing is a way to express one's ideas, which are fully respected by others."

After graduation, Xu found job in the U.S. He worked five years in Applied Biosystem Inc. and participated in research on mapping the human genome. Speaking about his choice to stay in the U.S., Xu admits that the world's leading laboratories and generous support for scientific research are what attracted him most. "I believe this is how the country draws extraordinary talents from all over the world."     

Indeed, Xu is just one drop in the ocean. A report by the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that in 2010, foreign-born residents represented 33 percent of all bachelor's degree holders in engineering fields in the U.S. Of the 4.2 million foreign-born science and engineering bachelor's degree holders, 57 percent were born in Asia, including 12 percent – 516,000 – in China.

The U.S. greatly benefits from these talented immigrants. The international elites who integrate into the U.S. society generate considerable social wealth for the country.

Chasing the American Dream

Despite having had endured difficult times when they first arrived in the U.S., Li Zhen and his wife have realized their American dream.

  Other Chinese moved to the U.S. after being inspired by their family members' lives there. Li Zhen first contemplated immigration after seeing his uncle's photos sent from the U.S. He had never looked at the U.S. as a country that was overflowing with wealth, but he was aware of its highly developed technologies, ideas and management, and felt the need to see the outside world. In July 2001, Li Zhen set out to chase the American dream. 

  Like most Chinese immigrants, Li Zhen endured a difficult time when he first arrived in the U.S. With his broken English, he could only find jobs in Chinese restaurants. Over the first few years, he did almost every kind of job one could do in a restaurant, from floor boy to cook, and during that time he also attended an English class offered by a charity. "It was a free class for foreigners," Li recalls. "Students could attend classes at different times in line with their own schedules. Teachers were considerate and patient. They printed out learning materials for us so that we didn't have to buy any books."

  After years of hard work and several failed attempts at starting his own business, Li Zhen finally set up a company in 2009. Situated in Houston,  his KT Refractories US Company provides refractory products imported from China to meet a great demand for fireproofing in the industrial city.

Li found that though the quality of products from China is as good as those made in the U.S., the price is much lower. "Which customer would not choose the cheaper one if the qualities are same?" Li is confident. "So its not very hard for me to push the sale." Having a reputation for diligence and honesty, Li Zhen has achieved success with his company. Today, he not only has a healthy stream of clients in the U.S., but is also exploring the market in Mexico and Peru.

Li appreciates the level playing field in the U.S.: "The environment is favorable for people who want to start their own business. I think the country is a place where everyone can fulfill his or her dream by putting in hard work."