A few years ago, the thorny issue of too much Chinese language on signs would have gotten under the skin of Richmonds predominant Asian community.
Not this time around, according to the citys leading Chinese-speaking radio station, Fairchild.
Travena Lee, Fairchild Radios news and public affairs director, recalls when the topic hit the headlines three or four years ago and she remembers lots of people getting very excited and feeling discriminated against.
By contrast, after a group of English-speaking residents, armed with a 1,000-signature petition, failed in March in a bid to convince city council to investigate a language bylaw, Fairchilds phones hardly lit up after it reported all the fuss.
A few years ago, people were asking questions like why are people not welcoming us, said Lee.
(The Richmond News stories) on Chinese signs in Richmond was widely reported in the Chinese media and our station did an open-phone show to gauge public opinion on it.
The callers were not very upset and took it as a fact of life.
I think they have just come to the conclusion that people will continue to talk about it, but I dont think (the Chinese community) takes it that seriously any more.
Although pointing out its only a very small section that advertises in Chinese only, Lee believes the Asian business community is growing more confident in its identity as time wears on and doesnt feel the need to change if change is not needed to succeed. The feeling we get is they can do well in the Chinese market and they dont think the non-Chinese market would want their business anyway, added Lee.
