The US has already run out of its quota of nearly 10,000 EB-5 immigrant investor visas for the current fiscal year, and of these, rich Chinese applicants accounted for 90 percent. Last year, the same percentage was also obtained by Chinese nationals. This has left quite an impact on both China and the US.

Quite a few comments on the phenomenon carried a taunting tone toward China, arguing it revealed the "superiority of the US," and proved the hypocrisy of certain voices in Chinese public opinion who claim an "anti-American" stance.

Some consider it a signal that Chinese people are losing faith in their home country, even labeling it as evidence of "the coming collapse of China."

There is no doubt that the US appeals to many Chinese people. Actually, the US is attractive to immigrants from all around the world, and this happens for a reason. The US is ahead of China in many fields, such as the environment, ecology and education. Therefore, a number of Chinese have migrated there for these favorable conditions.

But today's concept of immigration is very different than it used to be, especially for the rich. Most wealthy Chinese emigrants keep their business operations in China after leaving for the US. They are pursuing an "American identity," more security, more convenience for their own business, or American education options. Adult immigrants are usually busy flying between China and the US, or spend most of the time in China.

This is of course not the proof that "China is better than the US." Yet it is undeniable that the gap between the overall social development between the two countries is on show.

But it is worth exploring how severe the phenomenon of immigration among the rich is, and how it will affect the future development of China.

Emigration from developing countries to developed nations is not a phenomenon unique to any particular country.

As one of the immigration programs of the US, the EB-5 investor visa has a bar that is achievable for many middle-income families in China. Given China's population size, the number of immigrants from China in the US is not out of proportion. It is also still up to debate whether the flow of more emigrants to rich countries is beneficial to China, or vice versa.

It is also natural for the wealthy class to divert part of their family assets abroad through legal channels to disperse risks. It shouldn't be seen as a special political sign. Whether the phenomenon is taking place at a normal speed or not needs serious social investigation. Right now, there is no convincing quantitative analysis.

To many Chinese immigrants, it is not an easy choice to choose between better living conditions abroad and a marketplace with the biggest potential in the world. Thus quite a lot end up splitting their lives in two.

Chinese society suffered from poverty for a long time. National dignity may subtly influence our judgment when the issue of large number of emigrants emerges. But we should not place too much blame on such sentiment.