By Ally Wang
The 2025 STAATUS Index, conducted by The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), has been released, and its findings are troubling.
Regarded as the most authoritative annual survey on how Americans view Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, the STAATUS Index has been conducted since 2021. With 4,909 responses collected this year, the results include:
- 40% of Americans question the loyalty of Asian Americans to the U.S. (up from 21% in 2021);
- Over 25% of Americans believe that Chinese Americans are a threat to national and social security.
- 40% support restricting land purchases by people holding Chinese passports;
- 56% support the WWII internment of Japanese Americans;
- 63% of Asians expect to face racial discrimination in the next five years;
- 25% of Americans have no social contact with ethnic Asians;
- 53% still cannot name a single major historical event involving Asians;
- The proportion of people who learn about Asian communities through politicians has increased from 6% in 2021 to 14% in 2025.
While the statistics cannot represent all Western countries, this report reflects the broad problems that Chinese immigrants often face across the Western world. With rising tensions between China and the West, as well as the wave of anti-Asian hate during the COVID pandemic, similar problems are seen across many Western countries. These findings should serve as a warning to Chinese communities around the world. Without serious thought and action, they may become targets in future crises.
Asian communities are diverse—religiously, linguistically, ideologically—and loyalty cannot be judged uniformly. Many ethnically Chinese immigrants are firmly rooted in their countries of residence. Some maintain cultural ties to their ancestral homelands, but are politically independent from the countries that they came from, and are fully committed to their new homes. Their loyalty should not be doubted simply based on their ethnicity.
For these people, the outdated, China-centred label of “Overseas Chinese” is no longer fit. A better term is “Ethnic Chinese,” or more precisely, “Rooted Chinese.” Drawing from the official terminology used in Singapore and Malaysia, “Huazu” (Ethnic Chinese) may be more appropriate.
Huazu are neither extensions of China nor Chinese cultural orphans. They represent a new model of identity—culturally continuous but politically independent. They are not children waiting to be called home, but active contributors to their local societies and co-creators of culture.
Culturally, they preserve the Chinese language and traditions to a degree, while also integrating into the local culture, forming a hybrid identity. Politically, they engage with society as citizens of their country of residence, embracing its values and systems, and are independent from the countries from which their ancestors came. They are no longer temporary expatriates, but settled residents.
A clear identity would benefit ethnically Chinese immigrants in many ways.
On a personal level, it eases cultural tension and identity anxiety, helping individuals answer the question of “Who am I?” with confidence and a sense of cultural belonging. On a community level, it strengthens unity and promotes intergenerational continuity, freeing people from the dependent and vague implications of terms like “Overseas Chinese.” At the societal and national levels, a new identity expression that does not center on being “overseas Chinese,” “returnees,” or “foreigners” enables the Huazu to participate in the political, social, and cultural development of their country of residence as equal members. It also allows mainstream society to more accurately understand and respect the history, contributions, and cultural characteristics of this group.
Regarding the challenges revealed by this year’s TAAF survey, the idea of Huazu would offer a solution to suspicions about Chinese Americans’ loyalty.
Outside of clearly communicating that they are politically independent from their ancestral countries, the Huazu should also focus on strengthening their cultural understanding, their historical awareness, and their active civic engagement.
Cultural understanding: Second-generation Chinese should make an effort to learn Chinese culture and strengthen their own cultural roots. This multi-cultural perspective allows them to gain a broader perspective, while also feeling more confident about their origins. First-generation immigrants should focus on learning local cultures, which would allow them to better engage with their communities and fully integrate into society.
Historical awareness: The history of immigrants is also a part of their host countries’ histories. Huazu immigrants should preserve and promote the often-overlooked history of immigrants, highlighting overlooked contributions, exposing past discrimination, supporting minority rights, and advancing social progress. First-generation immigrants should also learn about local history — only by knowing the past can we understand the present.
Civic engagement: Huazu immigrants should participate in civic engagement where possible. Civic engagement means participating in volunteer and civic activities, opposing discrimination, and promoting social harmony. Joining NPOS/NGOS and volunteering to contribute to their communities and countries. Civic engagement also means an active involvement in politics. Voting, running for office, supporting campaigns, and promoting voter education are all essential parts of being a citizen. Discrimination, especially systemic forms, must be highlighted and opposed.
The Huazu are not just foreigners living on another country’s land. They are members of the public discourse, bearers of the local culture, and practitioners of societal values. In the face of public distrust toward Asians, political stigmatization, and the shadows cast by great power rivalries, Huazu cannot rely solely on “explaining” themselves — Huazu must counter the narrative through our very existence.
Transitioning from being “defined by others” to “self-definition,” from “endurance” to “speaking out,” is a difficult but necessary shift. And Huazu must be the active drivers of this transformation.
Disclaimer
Voices & Bridges publishes opinions like this from the community to encourage constructive discussion and debate on important issues. Views represented in the articles are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the V&B.