Asian invasion is a term that has a wide variety of meanings related to Asian people. The term is used for perceived "invasion" or coming of Asians to a variety of different places or sectors. "Asian invasion" is also a racist term some teenagers use for an increasing amount of Asian people, usually referring to a town or region where Asian immigration is fast increasing. In the UK, "Asian invasion" is also a gang name used by a racist gang of British Asian thugs who have on several occasions entered schools to attack white pupils with hammers, leaving them with serious injuries. Another spelling of "Asian invasion" is borrowed from internet slang: "aZn invaZn."

Other examples

Concern about an "Asian invasion" in New Zealand during the 1990s largely mirrored public disquietude across the Tasman in Australia. Controversial Australian politician Pauline Hanson made headlines in 1996 when she warned in her maiden speech to parliament that Australia was "in danger of being swamped by Asians" due to immigration from Asia, arguing that "they have their own culture and religion, form ghettos and do not assimilate." [91] Hanson's comments were enough to spark a heated national debate over immigration and multiculturalism in Australia.

A candidate of Canada's second largest political party, the Canadian Alliance, was forced to resign during the country's 2000 federal election for remarks that she made to a crowd of university students concerning an "Asian invasion." Betty Granger was quoted as saying that "Canadian students can't get into some of our university programs in Vancouver and Victoria" because of an influx of Asian students, and made reference to "a well-monied population buying up blocks and blocks of real estate" in British Columbia. Concerning a recent influx of refugees from Hong Kong, she was quoted as saying "There was a realization that what was coming off these boats was not the best clientele you would want for this country." [92]

The emergence of the Chinese as the fastest growing ethnic minority in Russia over the past decade has reignited age-old Russian suspicion about a Chinese takeover of Siberia and the Russian Far East. In 2002, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned local authorities in the Far East that if demographic and economic problems were not addressed, the region will be "speaking Chinese or some other Asian language." [93]

In January 2007, a gang of 4-8 asian racist thugs entered Ridgeway School in Wroughton, near Swindon, where they rushed across the tennis courts and began assaulting a 15 year old white boy, holding him down and striking him with hammers, leaving him in need of hospital treatment. Eight asian racist thugs, between 14-20 years old, were subsequently arrested concerning the attack and were held at Gable Cross police station in Swindon. These racist thugs are part of a gang calling themselves 'Asian Invasion' and had previously carried out a similar attack at the same school. [94]

In May 2006, six white teenagers from Ridgeway were taken to hospital after a group of racist asian thugs jumped out of two cars and attacked students, leaving one with a broken jaw. [95]

More recently, Sacred Heart student Alex Kang (some refer to him as Chang or Chang-money) has garnered an almost cult following and has been dubbed the official leader of the "Asian invasion". Alex has participated in various sports at the high school, but has always maintained his legendary lethargic style of play, disregarding what coaches and players alike have to say. Many note that when "Chang-money" shoots the three ball he does the trademark foot flutter. Alex is currently a sophomore at the Kingston school.

Further reading

Nicholas Tarling International students in New Zealand: The making of policy since 1950

'Asian Invasion' in Metro' July 1988, pp. 150-163

Manying Ip (ed) The Chinese in New Zealand

See also

Sinophobia

American-born Chinese

Asian American

External links

"Asian invasion, white flight" - a blog

JONATHAN ROSS' ASIAN INVASION - BBC Four