As the US turns 250, young Asian-Americans weigh identity and China

As the United States prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, a new generation of young Asian-Americans is grappling with their identity, particularly in the context of evolving US-China relations. This complex geopolitical dynamic is forcing a re-evaluation of what it means to be Chinese-American in the United States.

For individuals like Hannah Liu, a 23-year-old Chinese-American living in New York City, there's a noticeable shift in how she embraces her heritage. Unlike her earlier experiences where she felt the need to "code-switch" between her Chinese identity and her American surroundings, Liu now feels more comfortable openly expressing her heritage. This personal evolution is representative of a broader trend among Generation Z Chinese-Americans.

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Those weekly trips became a space to embrace her Chinese identity, before culturally “code-switching” on her way back home.

This growing sense of comfort and integration is occurring against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical rivalry between the US and China. The relationship between these two global powers is becoming a central factor in international politics, prompting young Asian-Americans to consider how this rivalry will shape their own lives and sense of belonging.

The series, which includes Liu's perspective, examines the pressure points and possibilities within the US-China relationship, covering areas from technology to cultural influence. It highlights how this key geopolitical rivalry is influencing the identities and futures of young Americans of Chinese descent as the nation approaches a significant historical milestone.

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Now 23 and still living in the city, Liu says she does not feel the need to code-switch as much. As a Generation Z Chinese-American, she describes feeling more comfortable openly embracing her heritage than she did growing up in the United States.