The Chinese community in San Francisco, the second largest in the U.S. by percentage, drew immigrants from all over Asia. Chinese immigrants contributed to many aspects of western culture and society. They helped build the western half of the Transcontinental Railroad, built levees to protect the Sacramento River Delta from flooding, and influenced East Asian cuisine and religion. They also contributed to many cultural festivals, including the Chinese new year and Mid-Autumn Festival.
The income and social class composition of the Chinese population in the United States varies widely. While there are more than 333 million Chinese Americans living in the U.S., approximately one-third are not citizens of the United States. The majority of Chinese people live in impoverished neighborhoods, while some are well-educated upper class residents who live in affluent suburb. While there is a wide diversity of income and social status within the Chinese community in the United States, there are some common characteristics that distinguish the upper and lower classes.
The lifestyles of Overseas Chinese are different from those of their native lands. For example, in northern Borneo, the Chinese people value large open spaces and easy access to nature. They dislike crowded cities in China. These differences between Chinese communities in Taiwan and the United States are due to the cultural assimilation levels of the Overseas Chinese. These communities are often divided into ethnic enclaves.
In addition to living in the country, the Chinese were active in business. They helped to fill the void left by white immigrants by providing domestic services such as laundry and cooking. They also became involved in the shrimp and fish industries, as well as the leather goods industry. The Burlingame Treaty of 1869 promoted immigration to the U.S. and encouraged Chinese people to make their homes in the United States. A workingman’s party, led by Denis Kearney, mobilized against the “yellow peril.”
As the country’s immigration laws improved, the Chinese community began to grow and spread. After World War II, changes to immigration laws made Chinese immigrants eligible for citizenship. The McCarran-Walter Act of 1952 and the Immigration Act of 1965 lifted the national-origins quota. Chinese students and refugees from Vietnam also contributed to the growth of the Chinese community. Some stayed behind to become citizens. They began to establish schools and businesses and started building their own communities.
In the early twentieth century, Salt Lake City was home to the largest Chinese community in the United States. The census counted 271 Chinese residents in the city in 1890. In 1891, Plum Alley ran north-south between State and Main streets and intersected with 100 and 200 South streets. The Chinese community’s cultural heritage was preserved, and political activism became important after the visit of Sun Yat-sen to Chicago.
In Latin America, the Chinese community has flourished in every country. The Chinese population has formed clusters of wealthy merchants and thriving family businesses in different sectors. Their model of integration in Latin America is an example for the rest of the region. Chinese immigrants originally migrated to plantations in the Caribbean and built successful businesses. And today, the Chinese are the largest minority population outside of China. It is estimated that over one million Chinese live outside of China.
As the Chinese population grows in the United States, so does the role of health care. The Chinese Community Center (CCC) is a resource center for the Chinese community in the Washington, DC metro area. The center offers workshops, information dissemination, and other cultural events. By building bridges between communities, the DCCC strives to promote understanding and appreciation of the Chinese American community in America. It also provides a bridge between Asian and non-Asian cultures.
While the numbers are a snapshot of the Chinese population on Staten Island, they have steadily increased over the last two decades. According to census records, the Chinese community in Staten Island has grown from five hundred people in 1990 to seven thousand and fifty-seven in 2000. The density of the Chinese population has been particularly high in the 10314 and 10305 zip codes, with a population of 2.4% in each. In the last decade, Staten Island’s Chinese population has exploded and is now the largest in the city.
During the first 50 years of Singapore’s history, Chinese communities have become increasingly integrated in society. Their contributions to the nation have ranged from enhancing the quality of life for children and reducing the incidence of diseases. Chinese language and culture were also integral to the success of Singapore’s multiethnic community. Despite its size, the Chinese community has made a significant impact on the country and its people. The multiculturalism department at the Montreal Children’s Hospital is a good example of this integration.