Per this “Ask Prudence” audio clip is this really something that they would expect to get in the US from their daughter’s non-Chinese fiance?
Dear Prudence: My Big Fat Chinese Wedding
It seems kind of grasping. Chinese are no dummies, you’d think they would realize the rules are different here.
They didn’t realize they hadn’t taken over yet. 
I don’t think Prudence did her research; in Chinese culture it’s the groom’s family that pays for the wedding.
I was about to say that my Chinese mother-in-law got ripped off, since I didn’t pay any dowry or “bride price”. But come to think of it, we did make her some gifts of cash at Xmas; my wife seemed to think that was expected, as far as supporting your parents goes.