Governor Ron DeSantis has just signed a new bill into law that will see all Chinese food restaurants in the state of Florida closed down.
The controversial legislation, which was passed by the state legislature last month, is aimed at reducing the spread of the Chinese Communist Party (“CCP”) influence and promoting American cuisine at the same time.
In a press conference announcing the new law, Governor DeSantis stated that “We cannot allow this foreign influence to continue to infect our citizens, and we cannot allow foreign food to infiltrate our palates. It’s time for Floridians to start supporting American cuisine and local restaurants.”
Many Chinese restaurant owners in Florida have expressed shock and dismay at the new law, saying that it unfairly targets their businesses and discriminates against their culture.
“I cannot believe that this is happening in America,” said Wang Wei, owner of the popular Wang’s Kitchen in Miami. “We have been a part of this community for over 20 years, and now we are being told that we are not welcome here.”
Critics of the new law have also pointed out that it is based on misinformation and prejudice, and that there is no evidence to suggest that Chinese food or restaurants pose any greater risk of spreading propaganda than any other type of food or establishment.
Many Floridians have taken to social media to express their outrage at the new law, with the hashtag #SaveOurChineseRestaurants trending on Twitter.
“This is just blatant racism and xenophobia,” tweeted one user. “I can’t believe that this is happening in my state.”
Despite the backlash, Governor DeSantis has remained firm in his stance, stating that he will not back down from his commitment to promoting American cuisine and protecting Floridians from CCP propaganda. Only time will tell how this controversial law will play out, but one thing is for sure: the future of Chinese food in Florida is now uncertain.
