A recent survey carried out by the Committee of 100 in collaboration with the NORC at the University of Chicago has unveiled revealing insights into the political attitudes and experiences of Chinese Americans. This research, part of the “Status of Chinese Americans Survey,” indicates that a significant 64% of Chinese Americans feel that current China-U.S. relations negatively affect their lives. Additionally, support for the Democratic Party among Chinese Americans is notably 15% higher than for the Republican Party.

The survey posed 49 questions regarding the political positions, experiences of discrimination, and cultural identities of Chinese Americans, gathering responses from 504 individuals nationwide. The need for this study was driven by a recognized lack of comprehensive data on the political attitudes and behaviors of the Chinese American community.

According to the results, 75% of Chinese Americans are committed to voting in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Among these voters, 46% identify as Democrats, while 31% align with Republicans. Interestingly, support for Donald Trump among Chinese Republicans is lower compared to their counterparts in the broader Republican demographic. Furthermore, approximately 75% of Chinese Americans feel the country is “headed in the wrong direction,” with 43% deeply concerned about the worsening overall economic situation.

China-U.S. relations have surfaced as a prominent concern for many in the community, closely tied to their daily lives. A recent study by the Pew Research Center indicates that the percentage of Americans with a “very negative” view of China has increased from 23% in 2019 to 44% in 2023. During the same period, the belief that China poses a “significant threat” expanded by 16 percentage points.

Moreover, 80% of Chinese Americans express anxiety about the positions of the 2024 presidential candidates on China, with two-thirds feeling that the current U.S.-China relations adversely affect their lives.

The Committee of 100 highlights that 82% of Chinese Americans still experience some form of discrimination, four years into the COVID-19 pandemic. This statistic underscores a pressing need for the government to improve legislative and administrative measures related to the collection of data on discrimination and hate crimes, while also working on meaningful reforms.

Cindy Tsai, interim chair and CEO of the Committee of 100, remarked, “Understanding the mental health, discrimination experiences, and political viewpoints of Chinese Americans is crucial for the government to formulate inclusive and informed policies. We hope this data will contribute to improving the lives of Chinese Americans.”