[stuartk]

Did a quick search and found this:

http://www.asian-central.com/stuffasianpeoplelike/2008/03/17...

Essentially, they are seen as the most 'refined' instruments to learn and play.

The piano is chosen as you need to learn both treble and bass clef to play, the violin because they are portable and light enough for very young children to hold.

From tfa.

[nocman]

OK, well that might explain the Asian preference. But I'd like to hear from a source that is not explicitly Asian (since I've seen the same choices in many non-Asian groups).