西华园——西雅图的中国花园，正在积极筹资推进“中央园区扩建项目”，该项目将新增园林建筑、山水景观及相关设施，并首次在园内建设公共卫生间。这一重要升级将显著提升游客体验，使市民和访客能够更长时间地在西花园内参与节庆活动、欣赏园林景致、深入了解中华文化。
为支持该项目，西华园已向华盛顿州地方社区项目预算（Local Community Projects）提交拨款申请。园方目前正呼吁社区成员积极向本区立法者（https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder），以及众议院资本预算委员会副主席Lisa Callan（lisa.callan@leg.wa.gov）和参议院筹款委员会资本预算副主席Yasmin Trudeau （yasmin.trudeau@leg.wa.gov）通过发邮件等方式表达支持，以争取获得250万美元的州政府资助。若该拨款获批，将有助于园区拓展教育项目、文化活动及场地租赁服务，并进一步提升园区的可达性与公共服务水平。
在表达支持时，社区成员可从以下几个方面阐述中华园的重要意义：
— 首先是历史意义。华盛顿州历史上曾发生排华骚乱及排华政策，华裔群体长期面临歧视。尽管社会环境已有明显改善，但近年来针对华人和亚裔的仇恨言论与暴力事件仍时有发生。西雅图中华园以弘扬中华文化为宗旨，为华人及各族裔民众提供了一个包容、友好的公共空间。正如前州长骆家辉所指出，建设和完善中华园，也是回应和抵制反华仇恨情绪的重要方式。
— 其次是项目时机。目前，西雅图市已为西华园提供500万美元的配套匹配挑战基金，但须在2026年底前筹集相应的匹配资金。过去园区建设的多个阶段均获得州政府与市政府的共同支持。若州政府批准250万美元拨款，将立即落实市政府挑战基金的一半额度，形成资金倍增效应，显著加快项目推进。
— 从经贸角度看，中国仍是华盛顿州重要的贸易伙伴。无论是喀斯喀特山脉以东的农产品，还是普吉特湾地区的制造业产品，每年经由西雅图港出口至中国的贸易额约达120亿美元，占全州出口总额的21%。中国市场对波音、微软、星巴克等企业具有关键意义。中华园也将成为接待来自中国的商务代表团和合作伙伴的重要文化交流场所。
— 在文化层面，西雅图拥有超过12.4万亚裔居民，占全市人口的16.9%；全州范围内，根据美国人口普查数据，亚裔人口约73万。西花园既是这一不断壮大社区的重要文化地标，也是家庭向下一代传承文化、了解传统的重要教育资源。
在教育方面，将西花园选址于南西雅图学院（South Seattle College）具有深远意义。这一选址体现了州、市与学院合作推动亚洲研究课程发展、吸引国际学生（尤其来自中国及东南亚地区）的战略目标。华盛顿州高校的国际学生中，绝大多数来自亚洲，其中中国学生占较大比例。中华园坐落于校园内，为华裔及亚洲背景学生营造了熟悉、友善的学习与生活环境，同时也促进跨文化交流与学术发展。
How are you connected to the Seattle Chinese Garden? What does the Seattle Chinese Garden mean or represent to you?
- History. In the past, Chinese American citizens were discriminated against in Washington State, including anti-Chinese riots and exclusion. While the climate for people of Chinese heritage has improved, recently there has been an upsurge in anti-Chinese hate, including physical attacks and rude comments in public spaces. The Chinese Garden proudly celebrates Chinese culture and is a welcoming space for those of Chinese heritage. As former Governor Locke has said, building out the garden is a way to push back against anti-Chinese hate, and now is the time to do so.
- Timing. The Chinese Garden has a $5 million challenge grant from the city of Seattle which must secure matching contributions by the end of 2026. The State has contributed to previous phases of the Garden’s construction to match the city of Seattle. A state grant of $2.5 million will immediately secure half of Seattle’s $5 million challenge grant, doubling the state’s contribution.
- Trade. Exports to China, whether agricultural products from east of the Cascades or manufactured goods from Puget Sound, flow through the Port of Seattle to the tune of $12 billion annually. That represents 21 percent of our total exports. China is a critical market for Boeing, Microsoft, and Starbucks. The Chinese Garden will be an important place for hosting customers and business delegations from China.
- Culture. Over 124,000 residents of Seattle identify as Asian. That is 16.9% of the city’s residents. Statewide 730,000 residents identified to the US Census as Asian-Americans. The Garden serves as both an educational and cultural resource for this growing community and as a place for families to share their heritage with the next generation.
- Education. Locating the Seattle Chinese Garden at South Seattle College was a deliberate choice. The state and city chose to partner with South Seattle College to encourage expansion of instructional programs in Asian studies and spur enrollment of international students, especially from China and Southeast Asia. The overwhelming majority of international students enrolled in Washington’s universities and colleges are from Asia, the majority of those are from China. The presence of the Garden on the campus at South creates a familiar and welcoming space for students with Chinese heritage.
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