Art plays role in fighting anti-Asian crimes

Artists across genres gathered in the San Francisco Bay Area recently to display their photographs, paintings, sculptures and installations to denounce hate crimes against Asians. They also hoped to raise public awareness about Asians' contribution to the United States since the 19th century.

In line with the Asian Heritage Month celebration in May, organizers in San Francisco hosted the Chinatown Thrives Because of You photo exhibition. It recorded everyday life in Chinatown since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the populous area in February 2020, and how citizens battled the pandemic and racist attacks.

Wang Donghua, China's consul general in San Francisco, said anti-Asian incidents are "man-made" disasters compared with the pandemic. "Some of the US politicians went astray and used the coronavirus as an excuse to smear China," Wang said. "Their wrongdoings not only bring harm to China-US relations but intensify tensions at home and put the lives of millions of Asian Americans in danger. We strongly condemn those anti-Asian crimes."