From The Peopling of New York City
The Service Industry
The Chinatown of Manhattan used to be one of the major manufacturing centers of New York City. After the turn of the century, however, Chinatown’s role as a center of production diminishes as it transform into a service industry.
Yi Tiao Long
Roughly translated it means "One Connected dragon". The term is used to describe a series of services or actions that combines together to form a uniform organization. It was derived from the tradition of Chinese Dragon dancing where each person hold a piece of the dragons and they work together to animate the dragon into a living being.
The Media
There are several national wide Chinese television channels for Chinese immigrants living in America. Also there are two local radio stations in New York City, one in Mandarin and the other in Cantonese. But the most popular tool of information is via the newspaper. most notable Chinese newspapers are WorldJurnal, Xingtao, MingBao, and QiaoBao.
The Job Finders
The job finder agency is another growing business in Chinatown after 9/11. Due to the damage of the property in the area, many low-income workers lost their job. The job finder agency served its purpose as to quickly link immigrant workers with popular jobs as Restaurant employees and nannies.
The Chinese van bus
The Chinese van buses transport people between 3 major Chinese towns in New York City, Chinatown, Flushing, and 8ave in Brooklyn. Considering the fact MTA has subway provided to these places, the Chinese bus line are more cheaper in the price, and also capable of transporting passengers to their destinations at half the time of regular bus lines and subway. Its main function was intended for speedy access for Chinese immigrants to their jobs, usually at various restaurants across the state in NJ, MA, etc.
The Bank
There is a large number of bank in Chinatown. An article written in Times Magazine described the opening of a new Commerce Bank at 155 Canal Street in Chinatown in 2005. This bank was opened in an area that was already preoccupied with more than 35 banks. This new Commerce Bank was designed to have 7500 deposit boxes, much greater than the 500 in average Commerce Banks. [1]The reason behind this kind of occurrence is that the Chinese immigrants didn’t want to put their money in a bank statement. The immigrants often make their money through the underground economy. On one hand, this money, which is made illegally, should not be placed in a bank statement under the view of the government. On the other hand, it is not secure to keep the money at home since most immigrants are renters not house owners. Therefore, the more practical approach is to rent a deposit box in the bank and put their money in there.
References
- ↑ Collins Glenn. “Keeping Luck Under Luck and Key.” New York Times. July 8,2005. May 14, 2008 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/08/nyregion/08bank.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&sq=chinatown%20bank%20&st=nyt&scp=1&oref=slogin
