Event Recap: USCET Salon Featuring Pre-Book Launch with Maryland house delegate Lily Qi

On June 27th, USCET convened an intimate gathering of the U.S.-China policy and Asian American civic communities for a pre-book launch featuring Maryland State Delegate Lily Qi and her book Elected American: From Red China to Blue Maryland. 

As part of the USCET Salon Series, the event featured opening remarks from Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch, an excerpt reading from Delegate Qi’s book, a discussion and audience Q&A with Delegate Qi moderated by USCET Managing Director Ryan McElveen, and closing remarks from USCET Executive Director Rosie Levine.

Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch, executive chair of USCET, opened the event by emphasizing USCET’s mission of building understanding across communities through sustained dialogue and relationship-building, noting that informal exchanges often serve as the foundation for what she described as quiet diplomacy.

Bloch situated Delegate Qi’s book within a broader story of Asian American civic participation. She reflected that when she came to the United States, there were very few Asian Americans in public leadership roles. Today, Asian Americans serve as judges, mayors, and state legislators, a development she described as reflecting the growing strength of American democracy.

USCET Managing Director Ryan McElveen praised Delegate Qi’s book as an important contribution to the relatively limited body of work by Asian American elected officials, particularly at a moment of convergence across issues including the rise of China, concerns about democratic resilience, the resurgence of socialist-leaning political discourse, and the evolving role of Asian Americans in U.S. public life.

During the moderated discussion, Delegate Qi reflected on her upbringing during the Cultural Revolution, describing experiences shaped by coercion and fear, including being urged to strike her school principal and living through the death of her uncle. She emphasized that questions of moral judgment are not confined to period or place but reappear within American institutions and political life. In her framing, the book’s movement between “Red China” and “Blue Maryland” highlights these recurring tensions.

On identity and belonging, Delegate Qi described a life spent navigating multiple worlds, from Shanghai to Montgomery County, across Chinese and American political and cultural systems. She identified herself as a “culture broker,” moving between communities and political contexts. Her path into elected office further demonstrates this. In the absence of role models for Asian American candidates, Delegate Qi carved a space for herself in local government that ultimately led her into state-level politics after. 

“There was no role-model. Every other elected Asian American seems to be a native English speaker and American born and raised.”―Lily Qi 

On the 30-year anniversary of the day she arrived in the United States, Delegate Qi was sworn into the Maryland State House. She emphasized both the personal and collective meaning of that milestone.

McElveen noted that Delegate Qi has helped pave the way for increased Asian American political representation, though there have been ongoing challenges and backlash. Qi remains hopeful. Recounting her campaigning experience, she also describes WeChat as a double-edged sword, enabling outreach to first-generation immigrants while also becoming a site of criticism and political conflict.

Addressing the potential tensions between immigrant community priorities and Democratic officials, Delegate Qi spotlights the importance of more in-between voices who can bridge perspectives and expand participation in the political process. She stated that when she won her election, the real significance of her victory was what it meant for the immigrant community. Through her campaign, the community learned the roadmap of political relevancy, including the mechanics of campaigning and civic engagement.

Regarding recent political shifts, including the rise of Democratic Socialist officials, Delegate Qi noted that political outcomes vary: what resonates in New York does not necessarily translate to Virginia or Maryland, as shown by the simultaneous success of both progressives like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and centrist Democrats like Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger. She described herself as a progressive Democrat who is also unapologetically pro-business, shaped by her time in China during the Cultural Revolution. 

Asked what advice she would give to her younger self, Delegate Qi said she would encourage herself to stay true to her voice and affirmed a lifelong sense of no regrets about coming to America.

For the final question, McElveen asked what comes next for Delegate Qi’s public service. Delegate Qi said she wants to serve in the role where she can have the greatest impact, explaining that she believes she can currently make the biggest difference in the Maryland legislature. She also identified election reform, particularly open primaries, as a key priority, arguing that broadening participation is essential to strengthening democratic representation.

For the final question, McElveen asked what comes next for Delegate Qi’s public service. Delegate Qi said she wants to serve in the role where she can have the greatest impact, explaining that she believes she can currently make the biggest difference in the Maryland legislature. She also identified election reform, particularly promoting open primaries, as a key priority, arguing that broadening participation is essential to strengthening democratic representation.

“Politics is not a typical career. You don’t measure success by income or a corner office. You measure it by impact.”―Lily Qi

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