Blog

Dr Edward KWAN

Time flies. I was one of the guest speakers of the captioned sharing held at the China Exchange Chinatown London last August. SCMP journalist Mdm Hilary Clarke was there covering the talk. We later had a discussion over Chinese dim sum on issues related to the risk of gambling addiction that overseas Chinese students face when they landed in the UK for studies. Clarke later published an article on 2019-08-19 to raise attention to this concern. (Click HERE)

Harmful media stereotypes are exacerbating the everyday racism faced by British East Asians, writes Sarah Owen MP

The Times’ lazy accusation that Chinese for Labour has ties with the Chinese Government will exacerbate the everyday racism faced by British East and South East Asians. What’s more, it plays directly into the hands of the CCP’s anti-West tactics, sowing divisions which make it harder to bring about change in China on fundamental issues like human rights.

If you live in the UK and look Chinese, you will be well-accustomed to casual stereotyping. But one particular form of racism has become especially painful recently: the assumption that anyone with Chinese heritage is a supporter of the Chinese Communist Party.

As Labour members and activists, we hold strong our commitment to the principles of human rights and freedom of speech internationally - just as we do at home. It is a deeply disturbing moment in Hong Kong’s history which sees new powers from the Chinese Communist Party signal an end to the one country two systems as we knew it and an end to all that was agreed in the joint declaration. This is a clear breach of China’s international obligation.

As tensions have escalated, so has the excessive force used by the police and with increased measures to repress protests and advocacy for democracy - all actions which have rightly been denounced by UN representatives.

We welcome the Government’s announcement to introduce a bespoke five-year visa for British National (overseas) holders – so they can be safe and join the thousands of other East and South East Asians who call the UK their home. We need to see the policy detail of how this will work, and how the Government will ensure smooth transition and welcome for those resettling in the UK. However not everyone will be covered under this scheme. Our obligation and a right to monitor the implementation of the joint declaration remains. We have a responsibility to consider the welfare of those are not able to re-locate or who wish to remain in Hong Kong.

We urge the Conservative government to enforce Magnitsky sanctions against those who acted against human rights. We must work closely with our international partners for a multilateral approach in defending the freedom and rights of people in Hong Kong.

Eat Southeast and East Asian Food | Leap Day Weekend!

Friday 28 February – Sunday 1 March 2020

Chinese people in the UK are facing increasing levels of racist abuse - many have had ‘coronavirus’ shouted at them in the street, on public transport, in the workplace. But it is not only Chinese people. It is ALL Eastand South East Asianswho are under attack, and even those who seek to protect them.

A British Thai city worker has been violently assaulted and left bleeding with a broken nose, and a South Asian woman was punched unconscious when defending her Chinese friend from a racist attack. East and South East Asian businesses have been decimated.

Yet the virus was in fact brought to Britain by a white businessman. This fact has been ignored. There is no more likelihood of contracting the virus from an East or South East Asian than anyone else.

The current Coronavirus outbreak originating from the Wuhan region of China has emboldened a wave of bigotry and racist rhetoric targeting the Chinese.

Once genomic sequencing identified that the virus originated from a strain found in bats the immediate response from many armchair epidemiologists, including some in the media, was to proclaim the cause was the Chinese practise of consuming bats whole.

A specific branch of the online right wing has been creating concern over the health impact of soy consumption. Is the lynchpin of Asian food truly a threat to human life?

There are many reasons why a person might enjoy tofu. For over eight millennia the soybean has been cultivated first in China and later across the entirety of East Asia. Western Europe and the American continent have similarly enjoyed soy as milk, oil and tofu for as much as 200 years. With a track record stretching back longer than most civilisations, the modern popularity of soy products might not concern most people, if it weren’t for a concerted effort by white nationalists to frame these products as an anti-white conspiracy.

Nearly 200 members, friends and supporters gathered on Monday, 20th January 2020 to celebrate Chinese for Labour 20th Anniversary & Chinese New Year Gala Dinner to usher in the Year of the Rat.

Leadership candidates, Lisa Nandy, Emily Thornberry and Jenny Chapman representing Keir Starmer together with Deputy Leadership candidates Dawn Butler and Angela Rayner joined the celebrations. The British East Asians Actors were out in force and the wonderful Gok Wan was busy with guests wanting selfies with him. Leading Chinese business and community leaders who have supported us over the years were also present.

Each of the candidates spoke about their vision for the Party and Country. Members will be able to make their choice when ballot opens on Friday 21 February and closes at noon on Thursday 2 April.

Sarah Owen MP was congratulated as our first British Chinese Labour and first British Chinese woman to be elected as a Member of Parliament. In her address, she made a passionate plea to support any aspiring person to join her in Parliament.

Sonny Leong CBE, highlighted the need for hard-won victories to be continually defended and fought for. He also stated that such tolerance are evaporating quickly, and we are in a time when division dominates and where diversity and difference are suspected rather than celebrated. Read his full speech HERE

Come and join us to celebrate our 20th Anniversary & the Year of the Rat at our 20th Anniversary & Gala Chinese New Year Banquet 2020 on Monday, 20th January 2020. We are also celebrating the election of the first Chinese Labour and Chinese Woman Member of Parliament, our very own Chair, Sarah Owen MP.

The event will be held at the Phoenix Palace Restaurant, 3-5 Glentworth Street, London NW1 5PG, and will begin with a champagne reception with canapés at 6.30 pm, followed by dinner at 7.15 pm.

As in previous years, we will be joined by Senior Shadow Cabinet Members, Ministers and Peers, together with leading members of the Chinese business and community leaders. This glamorous event draws together the British East Asian Actors, creative communities and supporters from the Labour movement.

Click HERE to book your place.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Chair of Chinese for Labour, Sarah Owen has been selected as Labour Candidate for Luton North in the election on 12 December 2019.

Every community across Luton deserves better than a Conservative Government that has handed down cuts to services and allowed big businesses to exploit local workers. Sarah's experience working in care, in hospitals and in the fire brigade means she knows the difference that well resourced public services can bring to the town and will fight tooth and nail for the investment that Luton needs.

She has a proven track record of delivering change - whether that’s against Tory cuts, or securing better rights for workers from foster carers to the emergency services, manufacturers to shop workers in Luton North - they are all better protected because of laws I’ve helped change and campaigns she has run. And she will continue to deliver if elected as MP.

Twitter: @SarahOwen_

Facebook: Sarah Owen

Deadline for registering to vote in the General Election

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