Chinese Land Ownership Ban / Trade Clash / Simu vs. TV
This week, Texas lawmakers are back at it with a fresh push to ban Chinese land ownership, reigniting debates on xenophobia and civil rights.
The Rebel Yellow Issue 25: What’s Really at Stake
This week, Texas lawmakers are back at it with a fresh push to ban Chinese land ownership, reigniting debates on xenophobia and civil rights. Meanwhile, Trump is ramping up his tariff game, targeting China, Mexico, and Canada in what could be a major shake-up for global trade. On the legal front, four Pennsylvania universities face a discrimination complaint over a minority-focused STEM program, fueling the post-affirmative action debate.
Elsewhere, a SoCal woman gets prison time for running a Chinese birth tourism scheme, and Simu Liu calls out Dragon’s Den for manufacturing a viral moment. Plus, Lunar New Year is around the corner—learn how to make Banh Chung like a pro, and see what 2025, the Year of the Wood Snake, has in store for you.
Let’s get into it.
Texas Republicans renew push for Chinese land ownership ban
GOP lawmakers in Texas are moving forward with legislation to restrict foreign land ownership in the state, targeting China and other countries deemed hostile to U.S. interests. The move, which follows efforts introduced in recent years, reignites a debate centered on discrimination and civil rights, especially among Asian American communities.
State of play
State Rep. Cole Hefner, who chaired the House Select Committee on Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations, filed a bill on Jan. 15 that would prohibit land sales to the governments of China, Iran, North Korea and Russia, as well as companies headquartered in those countries. The legislation mirrors previous efforts by Republican state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst.
“For too long, America’s enemies have employed the strategic purchase of land as a key cog in their broader strategy of unrestricted warfare,” Hefner said in a statement. “Texas must — and will — ban Communist China and other foreign adversaries from owning Texas land.”
House Bill 1849, which aims to “Protect Texas Land,” would give Gov. Greg Abbott the authority to add countries to the restricted list, while focusing more narrowly on governments rather than individuals. However, non-U.S. citizens living permanently in designated countries would still be affected by the ban.
It would also empower the Texas attorney general to investigate and enforce the law. Violations could result in significant penalties, including fines of up to $250,000 or 50% of the property’s market value.
Community response
In 2023, Kolkhorst’s Senate Bill 147 faced significant opposition and ultimately failed. The original bill would have prevented individuals from China, Iran, North Korea and Russia from buying property, but was later modified to exclude dual citizens and permanent residents after widespread protests.
Kolkhorst defended her proposal in committee hearings, saying she “rejects any notion” that SB 147 is racist. “I come before you as a liberty-lover and someone that wants to protect our food security, our mineral security and the future of our great state,” she noted.
The legislative efforts have galvanized unprecedented political engagement among Asian Americans in Texas, particularly within Chinese American communities. Wei Li, a college professor who has lived in the U.S. for 17 years, testified in March 2023: “It scoffs at me: ‘Sorry, you're not Texan. People like you would not even deserve to own a home.’”
As of July 2024, the Committee of 100, a non-partisan Chinese American civic group, reported that 151 bills restricting property ownership by foreign entities have been considered at the state and national levels, with 71 specifically targeting Chinese citizens. The organization is urging Texas legislators to reconsider their actions.
“We strongly urge Texas lawmakers to reconsider their efforts for a wholesale ban on private indiiduals and companies from China and other countries from purchasing property in the state,” Interim President Cindy Tsai said in a statement to The Rebel Yellow. “Such legislations foster unwarranted suspicion of people based solely on their nationality and reinforces harmful, sinophobic narratives. Rather than creating barriers that isolate communities, we encourage state leaders to pursue inclusive solutions that strengthen security without undermining fundamental rights. We welcome the opportunity to work together to prevent future harms to the AAPI community and to advance a shared vision of a safer, more united America.”
The big picture
While proponents argue the measures are necessary for national security, critics maintain the legislation is discriminatory and potentially ineffective. Nationwide, Chinese land ownership peaked at 383,935 acres (155,737 hectares) in 2021, according to latest USDA figures. It has since been on the decline, dropping 27% between 2022 and 2023. Canada, the Netherlands and Italy accounted for the largest foreign land ownership in the same period.
Texas State Rep. Gene Wu, who leads the House Democratic Caucus, warned about the broader implications of the new legislation. “The intent is to send a clear message of, you’re not welcome here. You people are not welcome here,” Wu said, as per the Houston Chronicle. Drawing parallels to historical precedents, the official noted that land ownership laws were among the first restrictions that led to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
The legislative push also comes amid broader efforts by Texas leadership to address perceived threats from China. In November 2024, Abbott issued an executive order directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to target individuals executing influence operations on behalf of the Chinese government, particularly focusing on “Operation Fox Hunt,” which has been used to harass Chinese pro-democracy activists and forcibly repatriate dissidents.
“The Chinese Communist Party has engaged in a worldwide harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents in attempts to forcibly return them to China. Texas will not tolerate the harassment or coercion of the more than 250,000 individuals of Chinese descent who legally call Texas home by the Chinese Communist Party or its heinous proxies,” Abbott said in a news release.
What’s next
Hefner’s bill comes against a backdrop of increasing tensions between the U.S. and China, most recently triggered by President Donald Trump’s trade policy. While Texas celebrated Chinese investments and sought deeper commercial ties as recently as 2017, relations have cooled significantly. Last year, Abbott ordered state agencies to divest all stakes in China.
Similar legislation in Florida has faced legal challenges, with a federal court partially blocking the state’s foreign land ownership ban. The case remains pending, with judges indicating potential conflicts with federal law governing foreign investment review.
The political implications could be significant, particularly in upcoming elections. Texas is home to one of the fastest-growing Asian American populations in the country — a demographic that has been critical in turning previously Republican-dominated states like Georgia competitive in recent national elections.
With House Bill 1849 slated for potential implementation in September, advocacy groups are expected to mobilize to address what they see as a new incarnation of a discriminatory legislation.
Trump reveals initial tariff targets, China strategy
As part of his “America First” trade policy, President Donald Trump has outlined a more targeted approach to his proposed 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, with specific industries now in focus ahead of the Feb. 1 deadline. His executive order also directs a sweeping review of trade relations with China, to be completed by April 1.
Key industries
Addressing House Republicans on Monday, Trump specified his administration’s initial focus for tariffs. “We are going to look at pharmaceuticals, drugs, we are going to look at chips, semiconductors and we are going to look at steel and some other industries,” he said.
The targeted industries represent significant import volumes:
Pharmaceuticals and medicines: $229 billion in imports through November last year
Semiconductors and electronic components: $126 billion in imports
Steel and related products: $32 billion in iron, steel and ferroalloys imports
Trump also emphasized that the goal is to encourage domestic manufacturing: “The only way to get out of this is to build your plant — if you want to stop paying taxes or tariffs, build here in America.”
China trade
Meanwhile, Trump’s approach to China represents a continuation and potential escalation of his first-term policies. His executive order directs a comprehensive review, due by April 1, of Beijing’s compliance with the Phase One trade deal and calls for investigations into:
Industrial supply chains and potential circumvention through third countries
Unfair trade practices, including currency manipulation and intellectual property theft
The possibility of stripping China of its preferential trade status
David Weinstein, director of Columbia Business School’s Center on Japanese Economy and Business, notes that previous tariffs on China had significant domestic consequences: “The 10-25% tariffs on $362 billion of goods imported from China have been passed on to U.S. consumers and firms purchasing Chinese intermediate inputs.”
What’s next
The administration has linked trade policy to broader issues, with the White House suggesting Canada and Mexico could avoid the 25% tariffs by taking swift action to close their borders to fentanyl. Meanwhile, OPEC+ has scheduled a Feb. 3 meeting to discuss Trump’s efforts to raise U.S. oil production and coordinate a response. Trump has called on OPEC and Saudi Arabia to lower oil prices, claiming this would help end the conflict in Ukraine.
While the president has maintained his Feb. 1 deadline for tariffs on Mexico and Canada, the specifics remain fluid. His recent Colombia incident — where tariffs were announced and quickly rescinded — demonstrates his willingness to use tariffs as a negotiating tactic.
Needless to say, Trump’s enthusiasm for tariffs remains clear: he reportedly called “tariff” the fourth most beautiful word in the dictionary, behind “God,” “love” and “religion.” But experts caution that importers, not exporting countries, pay the tariffs, with costs often passed on to American consumers.
4 Pennsylvania universities hit with complaint accusing them of discriminating against Asian, white students
Four Pennsylvania state universities are facing a civil rights complaint filed Tuesday for allegedly discriminating against Asian and white students through their participation in a minority-focused STEM program, marking another challenge to race-conscious academic initiatives following last year’s Supreme Court decision on affirmative action.
The Equal Protection Project (EPP), a project of the conservative Rhode Island-based nonprofit Legal Insurrection Foundation, filed the complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights against Millersville University, Slippery Rock University, East Stroudsburg University and West Chester University. The universities are members of the Keystone Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, which Millersville University describes on its website as “an NSF-funded program intended to support historically underrepresented students pursuing a major in science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics.”
The allegations
The complaint alleges that the program’s eligibility requirements — which specify that applicants must be African American, Hispanic American, American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander — violate Title VI and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
“By having a description of the program that requires you be how they have defined minority and by having an application which requires that you certify that you are one of these minorities they are in fact discriminating and excluding other people,” said EPP founder William Jacobson.
The big picture
The complaint comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark June 2023 decision striking down affirmative action programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. In that ruling, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that both universities’ programs “lack sufficiently focused and measurable objectives warranting the use of race, unavoidably employ race in a negative manner, involve racial stereotyping and lack meaningful end points.”
The EPP’s filing argues that the Alliance program is “underinclusive, since the racial restriction is arbitrary and excludes swaths of candidates who could benefit from the programs but who are not permitted to apply due to their race and skin color.” The organization is requesting an investigation and, if necessary, the imposition of fines and suspension of federal funding to the four universities.
The complaint parallels elements of the Harvard affirmative action case, where Asian applicants were allegedly held to higher standards for admission. However, while the Alliance program’s guidelines specify eligible minority groups, they do not explicitly state that other racial groups cannot apply.
Jacobson expressed hope for a resolution. “Our hope is that the four universities who comprised the alliance will look at it this and say, ‘You know what? We did it wrong. We made a mistake here, and we're going to change it.’ And if that's the result, we would consider that a win,” he said.
SoCal woman gets over 3 years in prison for helping pregnant Chinese give birth in the US
A Southern California woman was sentenced to 41 months in prison on Monday for operating a “birth tourism” scheme that helped pregnant Chinese women travel to the U.S. to give birth to children who would automatically become American citizens. Phoebe Dong ran USA Happy Baby Inc. with her husband Michael Liu, who was also sentenced to 41 months in December. Both were found guilty of conspiracy and international money laundering in September.
During her emotional sentencing hearing, Dong recalled growing up without siblings due to China’s “one-child” policy and explained how her own mother was forced to have an abortion. “I don't want to lose my kids,” she told the court. “I hope you can give me fair judgment. I will take all my responsibility.”
Federal prosecutors, who had sought a five-year sentence, argued that Dong and Liu helped more than 100 pregnant Chinese women travel to the U.S., charging “tens of thousands of dollars each” to help customers “deceive U.S. authorities and buy U.S. citizenship for their children.” They operated a maternity house in Rancho Cucamonga, renting apartment units to the pregnant women who would return to China less than two months after giving birth.
Dong’s sentencing comes amid renewed debate over birthright citizenship, guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, as President Donald Trump recently attempted to narrow its definition through an executive order that was temporarily blocked by a Seattle federal judge.
Simu Liu calls out "Dragon’s Den" for behind-the-scenes pressure on Bobba episode
Simu Liu recently shed more light on the controversy involving Canadian bubble tea company Bobba during his appearance on the show “Dragon’s Den.” In a LinkedIn post on Tuesday, Liu detailed his experience on the show, revealing that producers actively pushed for a viral confrontation
Set up for a viral moment: Representing his VC fund Markham Valley Ventures, Liu appeared as a guest investor on the show in October last year to invest in minority founders. Liu noted that he "immediately knew" he was being set up when Bobba's founders, Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette, pitched their bottled bubble tea as a "healthier" alternative. "As the only East Asian member on the panel, I felt that responsibility lay squarely on my shoulders," Liu wrote. He questioned whether Bobba acknowledged the drink’s Asian origins in its branding, packaging or leadership, but received "no on all fronts." The situation escalated when one founder claimed that bubble tea was "not an ethnic product anymore," while another suggested that their version was healthier.
“Unfavorable edit": Liu, who has a deep personal connection to bubble tea, said he "had to speak up." However, he also revealed that Dragon’s Den producers were in his earpiece throughout the exchange, urging him "to get angrier." He ultimately declined to invest in Bobba, citing concerns over cultural appropriation. While he stood by his decision, he expressed sympathy for the founders, who he believes "pitched in good faith" but fell victim to an "unfavorable edit done by producers who smelled a juicy moment."
Episode aftermath: The controversy sparked significant online backlash, leading Liu, Bobba's founders and fellow investor Manjit Minhas to release statements condemning harassment and threats directed at the entrepreneurs. Bobba has since apologized for its wording and committed to revising its branding to better reflect bubble tea’s Asian heritage.
Become a Tet hero with this Chung cake recipe
Chung cake (Banh chung) is a traditional Vietnamese rice cake that holds deep cultural significance during Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year). For many, preparing the square-shaped cake is a way to stay connected to their heritage. Impress your Viet friends this Tet with this authentic Chung cake recipe and become the most celebrated guest at their next family gathering!
You’ll need to roll up your sleeves for this one…
For this recipe, you’ll need 1.5 cups of soaked mung beans, which are mashed into a paste and 5.5 cups of soaked sticky rice, providing the cake's texture. The filling is made with 500 grams of pork belly, seasoned with salt, black pepper, fried shallots and fish sauce. Banana leaves are used to wrap the cake, giving it a subtle green color and aroma.
Guide to Chung cake glory
Prepare the mung beans: Start by soaking the mung beans in water for at least 4 hours, or overnight for the best results. After soaking, place the mung beans in a pot, add enough water to cover them, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the beans are soft and mashable. Once done, mash the beans into a smooth paste and season with salt, stock powder, fried shallots and pepper to taste.
Prepare the pork: For the filling, use a combination of pork loin and pork fat, cut into large cubes. Season with 2.5 teaspoons of salt, 2.5 teaspoons of ground black pepper, crushed shallots and fish sauce. Mix well and let the pork marinate for a few hours.
Shape the filling: Take about a cup of the mashed mung beans and place it on a piece of plastic wrap. Put a few pieces of the seasoned pork loin and fat in the center and wrap it up into a compact square or round shape. You can also mold the fillings by hand, ensuring it holds its shape.
Prepare the banana leaves: Tear the banana leaves into large pieces, about 18 to 20 inches long. Lay out two overlapping sheets of banana leaves on a flat surface. Place a cup of soaked and salted sticky rice in the center of the leaves, followed by your shaped filling. Cover the filling with another cup of rice. Carefully fold the banana leaves around the rice and filing, wrapping it tightly into a square package.
Wrap the cake: For the wrapping technique, make sure the darker side of the banana leaves faces the rice on the inner layer, as it will give the cake a subtle green tint once cooked. For the outer layer, the darker side should face outward. Make sure to tie the cake securely so the boiling water doesn’t seep into the cake and make it soggy.
Boil the cake: Arrange the wrapped cakes in a large pot, filling the pot with water to fully submerge the cakes. Traditionally, banh chung are boiled for 8 to 12 hours over wood fires, but you can use an electric cauldron or pressure cooker to speed up the process. Be sure to check the water level and replenish as needed.
Cool and compress: After boiling, remove the cakes from the pot and let them cool. Some people compress the cakes slightly to help them retain their shape. If you plan to store the cakes for later, you can vacuum-seal them for longer preservation.
While this recipe is traditional, there may be variations in the filling or preparation methods depending on regional preferences or personal taste. To get the most out of your Chung cake, pair it with some pickled onions or boiled chicken for a perfect balance of flavors. A cup of hot green tea also complements the savory taste of the cake. Just remember that whether you’re enjoying it with loved ones or sharing it with friends, Chung cake is best served with a side of good conversation and festive cheer!
The Year of the Wood Snake wants us to shed the past
The year 2025 marks the arrival of the Year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese zodiac, a time of transformation, personal growth and renewal. Experts say it's a year ripe with potential for those willing to embrace change and explore new horizons – a chance to gracefully navigate the year's twists and turns.
Elements and animal signs
The Year of the Wood Snake is part of the Chinese zodiac’s larger 60-year cycle, combining the 12 animal signs with the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water). While the Snake appears every 12 years, the Wood Snake last occurred in 1965. Chinese astrologers suggest 2025 could be a time of movement and potential respite after the challenges brought by the Dragon last year.
Cultural significance and meaning
The Snake holds complex symbolism in Chinese culture. While sometimes associated with yin, darkness and mystery, the Snake also symbolizes good luck, rebirth and regality, often called "little dragons." Since snakes shed their skin, they represent the continuous process of change. In mythology, the snake is associated with healing, reinforcing the transformative power of this year as a time for both physical and spiritual renewal. This is why the Wood Snake year encourages individuals to embrace self-improvement by letting go of old patterns and embracing new possibilities. The wood element adds an aspect of growth, creativity and flexibility, making this an auspicious time for personal and professional development, exploration of new ideas and cultivation of talents.
Traditional practices
In Chinese culture, the Year of the Snake (1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 and 2025) comes with its own set of taboos and traditions. For example, it is considered a serious taboo to harm or kill snakes, as this is believed to invite misfortune. Similarly, traveling west during this year is seen as less auspicious than heading east, which is associated with the Wood element. Individuals born in the Year of the Snake are advised to wear red, green (especially for Wood Snake individuals) and gold — colors associated with good luck, prosperity, and balance — throughout the year.
The Wood Snake personality
People born in the Year of the Wood Snake are believed to be intelligent, creative and strategic thinkers. With a natural curiosity and thirst for knowledge, they excel in finding innovative solutions. Their charm and adaptability allow them to thrive in diverse situations and build strong connections with others. Introspective and wise, Wood Snakes possess a deep sense of intuition and often seek personal growth, making them valuable advisors. They are said to appreciate order, have a refined taste and are drawn to art and culture.
Impact on individuals
The Year of the Wood Snake is believed to bring significant personal transformation, especially for those born in a Snake year. It presents life-changing opportunities and challenges, encouraging individuals to embrace change, make major decisions and strive for growth in careers and relationships. The year also fosters creativity and adaptability, helping individuals navigate uncertainties with greater ease.