In L.A.'s 'Chinese Beverly Hills,' fighting back against Chinese communist infiltration

This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.

See more from the L.A.Times in Google Search.

Set us as preferred With its top-tier schools, large residential lots and quiet living, generations of wealthy Chinese families have seen Arcadia as an ideal location to build a life in the United States.The influx of investment and dedicated citizenry has helped the San Gabriel Valley suburb flourish economically and culturally, earning it the nickname the “Chinese Beverly Hills.” Asian people, including many Chinese, make up the largest slice — roughly 59% — of the city’s population of 54,000, according to the latest census.

“In the San Gabriel Valley, many of the cities that have done very well have done well because of immigration from Asia,” Arcadia Mayor Paul Cheng said in an interview with The Times.“Arcadia has done very well.” But after months of scandal over a former council member accused of acting as an illegal agent of China, residents and city leaders are trying to reset the relationship and impose safeguards.Many in Arcadia were shocked the Chinese government would try to wield influence in small-town politics.

But there was also anger that such corruption is alleged to have occurred there.“I think all of us are very sad over the issue, confused, and all of us feel bamboozled,” Cheng said during a study session this month.“But at the same time, I do not want fear, uncertainty or doubt to stop our city from moving forward.” In response, Arcadia officials this month began what they say is a pioneering effort to determine how to protect local municipalities from influence by foreign governments.

It comes at a time when federal investigators are continuing to probe the ways the Chinese government has made inroads into local governments and with elected officials across Southern California.Possible guidelines, which are expected to return to the council for consideration in September, inc...