Reconciliation with Chinese Canadian Community

by Kim Lai

My two earlier articles were primarily focused on Burnaby’s reconciliation with the Chinese Canadian community. In this article, I would like to broaden our perspective to include reconciliation efforts made by other cities, provinces, and national levels, collaborations with other minority groups and the fostering of future generations of Chinese Canadians.

But first, I would like to recount a few more activities that inspired these broader reflections:

1. Final Discussion of Burnaby’s Reconciliation with the Chinese Canadian Community Advisory Group (2025/01/07)

January 7, 2025, marked a bittersweet moment for the Advisory Group members as it was the final meeting since their appointments in July 2023. Over several months, the group engaged in numerous public consultations, community outreach activities, and events. The meeting was bittersweet — bitter because it marked the end of the group’s formal involvement in the project and sweet because the members had successfully fulfilled their mission. They contributed their best efforts in amplifying the voices of the Chinese Canadian community in Burnaby while also helping shape the framework and format for a formal apology that would acknowledge, recognize, apologize, and commit to reconciliation.

The group covered a range of themes, including increasing the visibility of Chinese Canadian history and culture, promoting celebrations of Chinese festivals, and enhancing safety and inclusion. Addressing anti-Asian racism and fostering collaboration with other communities, such as the Indigenous community, were also among the group’s top priorities.

The next steps for the City of Burnaby (COB) include presenting a “What We Heard” report to the Council, summarizing community engagement findings and preliminary recommendations. This will be followed by internal discussions with COB stakeholders to develop a concrete work plan. A final report to the Council outlining the timeline and action plan for a formal apology and reconciliation measures is scheduled for May 2025. The formal apology to the Chinese Canadian community is anticipated to take place in the Fall of 2025.

Although my official role as an Advisory Group member has concluded, my commitment to this cause remains. There is still important work to be done until the apology is delivered and the proposed reconciliation measures are implemented. I will continue to be an advocate in this area and will always be a proud Chinese Canadian.

2. 2025/01/22 Lunar New Year or Spring Festival Celebration at Burnaby City Hall

The City of Burnaby celebrated the Lunar New Year of the Snake at Burnaby City Hall on January 22, 2025. It was a heartwarming occasion where the City’s Council, City Leadership Team, and employees of diverse ethnic backgrounds came together to celebrate this special event. The Tang Dragon Lion Team was invited to perform a lion dance, captivating the audience with their skillful jumps and the traditional act of ingesting lettuce, earning rounds of applause.

The celebration also included the sharing of experiences, food, snacks, and insights into the true meaning behind Lunar New Year traditions. It was truly an enriching and unforgettable moment!

3. Lunar New Year Lunch / Reunion Dinner

The Lunar New Year is a time for families and friends to gather and feast. I was invited to several lunches and dinners during this festive period. The Family Reunion Dinner holds special significance, especially for family members who travel from afar to come together on this day for the dinner. Food is, therefore, a “must,” but even more importantly, it is essential to understand the underlying meaning of various auspicious dishes.

Some examples include the fortune pot (盆菜 = 财富, wealth), fish (鱼 = 年年有余, abundance), prawns (虾 [粤语] = 哈哈大笑, happiness), cabbage rolls (菜卷 = 好财运, luck), sausage glutinous rice (腊肠糯米饭 = 四季丰收, great harvest), chicken (鸡 = 吉, good luck / 家庭和睦, family togetherness), duck (鸭 [粤语] = 合家 / 团结 / 繁荣 / 文化传承, unity, prosperity, and cultural continuity), and vegetable dishes (菜 = 财, fortune).

Of course, there are many other Lunar New Year dishes with unique regional variations and auspicious meanings that are not listed here.

4. 2025/02/01: The Impact of Geopolitical Conflict on Chinese Canadians Forum at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver

This forum was open to anyone interested in minority representation and the reconciliation efforts put forward by different levels of government. Distinguished speakers, including BC Senator Yuen Pau Woo, Tung Chan (former CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S.), Jimmy Yan (Program Manager of Access Pro Bono), Dr. Ally Wang (Columnist and community activist), Dr. Henry Yu (History Professor at UBC), and Fred Kwok (Chairman of the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver), were invited to share their knowledge and insights. The forum was moderated by Kenny Zhang, a Vancouver-based writer.

The topics discussed included:

Foreign interference,
China being perceived as an existential threat to Canada,
Stigmatization of Asians with ties to China, especially immigrants from China,
Curbing the supply of critical minerals and technology exports to slow down the rise of China while advancing neighboring countries’ foreign policy objectives,
Sensational media reporting that contributes to division,
Divisions within the Chinese community, labeling some as “good” Chinese and others as “bad” Chinese,
The emergence of a new organization called “Rights and Freedoms of Chinese Canadians (RFCC)”, which aims to advocate for Chinese Canadians in the face of growing anti-Asian discrimination and stigmatization.
- https://senatoryuenpauwoo.ca/en/domestic-outreach/speeches/the-impact-of-geopolitics-on-chinese-canadians-challenges-and-opportunities/
Promoting the positive achievements of Chinese Canadians,
- https://voicesandbridges.org/the-impact-of-geopolitical-conflict-opportunities-and-challenges-facing-chinese-canadians-2/
Promoting positive integration between non-Chinese communities and the Chinese Canadian community, such as Premier David Eby learning the Chinese language,
- https://voicesandbridges.org/remarks-at-the-chinese-cultural-centre-of-greater-vancouver-on-feb-1-2025/
There is need for greater internal motivation among Chinese Canadians to speak up and participate in politics and community affairs, especially considering the low voter turnout in the 2019 federal elections in Richmond, BC.

As a side note, I brought my “young adult” children to attend this forum and asked if they would actively participate in future Chinese elections or community events. Their response was disheartening. They said, “Such activities are for people who have already reached a comfortable stage in their lives; for us young people, we are still struggling to buy a house, a car, or even find a decent job. We haven’t even reached the subsistence level; how could we afford such a luxury?” This response revealed that we still have a long way to go in fostering civic engagement among younger generations of Chinese Canadians.

Other key discussion points included:

Opportunities to create a harmonious society in Canada by eliminating racial discrimination,
- https://voicesandbridges.org/strengthening-the-voices-of-women-and-chinese-canadians-a-call-for-increased-participation-in-canadian-society/
The importance of building alliances with other minority groups such as Indigenous, Sikh, Jewish, and Korean communities, as exemplified by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. reaching out to these groups,
Promoting cross-city, provincial, and federal cooperation among Chinese Canadians. For example, the City of Vancouver has made significant efforts in revitalizing Chinatown, and perhaps other community members outside Vancouver could join in this pursuit,
Limited government spending on cultural connections, emphasizing that Chinese Canadians must take the initiative to promote and preserve their culture,
The lingering impact of historical discrimination, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, despite Canada’s progress in improving race relations,
Promoting cultural representation through events such as the Chinese New Year parade and lion dances, which present a positive image of Chinese Canadians instead of negative stereotypes.

In conclusion, this forum was an important step in raising awareness about the impact of geopolitical conflict, the challenges faced by Chinese Canadians, and the opportunities for positive action moving forward. More efforts will be needed to transform these discussions into tangible actions soon.

Additional resources and recordings of the forum:

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.