As long as Chinese international students have been in the US, we have always been part of movements for justice– both in the United States and in China.  

Every year, thousands of Chinese international students study abroad in the US and other countries. As China has developed rapidly in the last few decades and increasingly asserts its economic, political, and military leadership in the region and globally, there have been increased tensions between China and the United States, all of which have real impacts for Chinese, Chinese American, and people of Asian descent.In the US, more than 2500 reported cases of hate incidents against Asian Americans by whites and other people of color have been reported just in the last year, stoked by COVID-19 racism and escalated tensions around trade and the global economy.  

Especially in recent moments of protest and uprising around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, social movements that broke out at home and abroad have had a profound impact on Chinese students studying abroad. From experiencing direct or indirect incidents of racism to becoming inspired by the recent Black Lives Matters protests, many of us are interested in social justice movements in the US and elsewhere (e.g., the Women, Lives, Freedom campaign in Iran). We have witnessed that more and more international students and overseas youth want to break out of their comfort zone and participate in various public issue discussions. They also show strong interest and desire in learning more about participating in direct action and community organizing.

But at the same time, we have also observed the common challenges and dilemmas faced by international students who are experiencing accelerated politicization:

many international students who want to do something have little organizing experience.

We are not pro-China and we are not pro-United States.  We believe that much of the tensions between the US and China do not serve the people in both countries.  It is clear that the left-right paradigm is woefully inadequate to address economic, climate and health crises in the 21st century — and what we need is a new path for Chinese international students, the Chinese immigrant community, the Asian American community, working class people of color, Indigenous communities and white progressives and liberals to build something together.

This space prioritizes building the leadership and relationships between Chinese international students and activists. We hope you will join us!