1994.007.008 Oral History Interview with Huan Reng Chin 1993/04

Oral History Archive

1994.007.008 Oral History Interview with Huan Reng Chin 1993/04

In this interview, Huan Reng "Benson" Chin discusses his involvement in the Sino-Japanese war; conducting espionage for the Chinese Communist Party. He recalls his military education in Marxism/ Leninism and fighting in World War II. Chin speaks of the Chinese Cultural Revolution; including detention in labor camps, mass starvation, and numerous civilian suicides. Chin evaluates life after his 1984 immigration to New York City; Chinatowns of the boroughs, Sunset Park street crime, and looking forward to retirement. Interview in Cantonese conducted by Mary Lui.

0:00 - 开场白：介绍受访者、地址、日期、及采访人 Introduction of narrator and interviewer’s names, interview location, and date

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0:21 - 自我介绍，家庭、教育，以及泰国华侨的状况 Self-introduction, family, and education; situation of Chinese immigrants in Thailand

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7:23 - 回中国参加抗日战争, 投奔共产党，被国民党逮捕 Back to China: involved in Sino-Japanese War, assisted Communists, detained by Nationalists

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21:30 - 运送情报被国民党逮捕，监狱生活 Arrested by Nationalist Party because of intelligence activities, life in prison

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33:59 - 参加中央军校，支援抗战，海外华侨的贡献 Central Military Academy; Chinese ex-patriots' activism & supporting of Sino-Japanese War

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44:43 - 在英国接受军事训练, 内战爆发逃到新加坡，1950年回中国 Military training in U.K.; Escape to Thailand as civil war starts; Return to China, 1950

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58:29 - 在中国的经历，土改、反右、文革 Experience in China, land-reform, anti-rightest movement, Cultural Revolution

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81:09 - 移民初期的挑战，对中国及其统治阶级、唐人街生活的看法 Immigration: arrival & 1st challenges; Attitude on China/ruling class; Chinatown life

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121:57 - 布鲁克林的生活，被菲律宾移民欺负，被抢劫、失业 Life in Brooklyn; Being bullied by Filipino immigrants; Being robbed; Unemployment

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144:50 - 家庭，与泰国移民、同龄人、中国人、外国人的交往 Family life; Relating to immigrants from Thailand, elderly peers, Chinese, and Westerners

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