WENY-- U.S. and China relations have slowly been deteriorating for decades; fighting over influence on separate sides of the world, competing over technology and aiming to obtain military advantages are some of the reasons the two world powers are going head to head. 

With worry that this conflict could be the next Cold War, it is often that the focus is put on the national impact and not on local communities. 

Throughout the pandemic anti-Asian hate crimes spiked dramatically throughout the US, rising by a staggering 45.6 percent and in some cases even resulting in deaths. 

In March of 2021 eight were killed in an Atlanta Spa shooting and while the suspect said the killings were not racially charged, this stirred outrage and fear throughout the Asian-American community.  

“As we already see, the COVID-19 pandemic has already kind of affected people's view of Asian Americans,” said Xu Xin, program manager for the China and Asia-Pacific Studies program at Cornell University. 

Xin worries that increasing tensions between the two world powers could increase the number of hate crimes against Chinese students and Asian American Pacific Islanders. 

“I think if we talk locally in general, I am worried that if the relationship continues to deteriorate that may affect the American citizens,” said Xin. 

Xin said that during that time of distress,  Cornell University held several meetings to check in on the student base. Similarly, the Ithaca Asian American Association hosted Stop Asian Hate Discussions throughout the community; Xin hopes that support like this will continue into the future. 

“I think the local communities should at least keep eyes on this and if there is such anti-Asian action then the community should take a clear stand,” said Xin. 

With Chinese students accounting for over 35% of the undergraduate and graduate student populations in the United States and 398,041 Cornell students being Chinese, a shaky relationship between world powers could also result in the rejection of visas for students.