Summon Chinese Tradition: The Changing Emotional Representation of “Emotional Refuge” : A Case Study of New York’s Chinatown and Chinese International Students since the 1980s

召唤传统：“情感避难所”的表象之变—以1980 年代以来美国纽约唐人街及中国留学生群体为例

Since the 1980s, the population of Chinese international students in New York has undergone steady expansion. In this context, Chinatown has functioned not only as a site for the economic and social adaptation of immigrants but also gradually evolved into an “emotional refuge” for Chinese students. Utilizing the theoretical framework of “emotional refuge”, complemented by a comprehensive review of historical documents and qualitative data, the evolving emotional bonds between New York’s Chinatown and Chinese international students are explored, spanning from the 1980s to the 2020s. It suggests a three-stage evolution of Chinatown’s role in meeting their emotional needs. The period between 1980 and 2000 is characterized by Chinatown’s fulfilment of cultural identity needs through language, cuisine, and festive activities. The early 21st century is marked by them contributing to the transformation of Chinatown from an insular community into an open cultural symbol. After 2010, new media and artistic practices emerge as new means of emotional expression, thereby shifting the focus on community co-construction. While the function of Chinatown as an “emotional refuge” has remained constant, its manifestations have undergone a dynamic transformation, from geographic space to cultural practices and finally to social engagement. Throughout this process, Chinese international students have not only sustained their cultural identity but have also infused new vitality into the global development of Chinatown.

自20 世纪80 年代以来，中国留学生群体在纽约的规模不断扩大，纽约唐人街不仅承载着移民的经济与社会适应功能，也逐渐成为中国留学生群体的“情感避难所”。本文以“情感避难所”为理论框架，结合历史文献与质性数据，考察1980 至2020 年代纽约唐人街与中国留学生之间的动态情感联系。研究发现，留学生的情感需求与唐人街的功能经历了三阶段演变：1980-2000 年，唐人街通过语言、饮食和节庆活动满足留学生文化认同需求；21 世纪初，留学生推动其从封闭社区转向开放文化符号；2010 年后，新媒体和艺术创作成为情感表达新形式，关注点转向社区共建。唐人街的“情感避难所”功能始终存在，但其表现形式经历了从地理空间到文化实践，再到社会参与的动态转化过程。在这一过程中，留学生群体既维系了自身的文化认同，也为唐人街的全球化发展注入了新的活力。