China News Service, May 11 (Xinhua) According to the US "World Daily" report, affected by the epidemic situation and the "home evasion prevention order", the small business and restaurant business of the New York Chinese News Agency faced an unprecedented crisis, and some stores have closed. In order to help Chinese businessmen, a number of Chinese Americans have recently set up organizations to raise funds and strive to "not let Chinatown disappear."
It is understood that the organization was established by many Chinese Americans, Ms. Yu and Ms. Zhang. Because they did not want to see the New York Huashe Business District affected by the epidemic, they established contact through the Internet when they were at home to avoid the epidemic, and launched fundraising activities on the Internet, with a target of $ 60,000. At present, the organization has raised nearly 50,000 US dollars, and the funds will be included in the "Emergency Small Business Relief Loan Program" established by the Asian Equality Association to allow businesses in need to apply for assistance.
Chinatown, Sunset Park, and Flushing are the well-known Chinese community business districts in New York. However, Manhattan East Village, Queens Elmhurst, Little Neck, Forest Hills, and Brooklyn ’s Bansho, Homecrest are also concentrated in Chinese business, listed It is the nine largest Chinatowns in New York City. Taking Manhattan Chinatown as an example, there are 270 restaurants in total, and only 15% of businesses are still operating.
One of the sponsor's ladies said that everyone made contacts through social media, gathered together to help Chinatown business, and discussed the plan through video conference. Although most of the donors are Asian Americans, there are also many foreigners. Many people left a message saying that they also have a strong feeling for Chinatown.
Ms. Yu said that even though the city government provided funding programs, the application process started in a hurry and no Chinese translation materials were provided. Many small businesses missed it. She worries that if the situation continues to worsen, Chinatown will have more stores closed, even if other stores are settled in the future, it will have a great impact on Chinatown. (Yan Jieen)