Traditionally, Chinese communities form large communities, enhancing relationships between members and creating a sense of home. These communities often have a greater influence on the indigenous population than smaller groups. The Chinese community in the Washington DC area has over one thousand members. It has many services and programs to assist members of the Chinese community.
The first Chinese immigrants to London arrived in the 1780s, mostly as sailors. They worked for the East India Company and the Blue Funnel Line, and were primarily from Kwangtung province, though there were also Chinese immigrants from Malaya, Singapore, and Fukien. In 1881, the Chinese population of London was relatively small, with approximately 60 percent of the population living in the East End and Westminster. In addition, small communities were located in Hampstead, Kensington, and Wandsworth.
The Chinese population of Canada is concentrated largely in the cities of Vancouver and Toronto. In 2001, the Chinese community constituted nearly one-third of the total population in these cities, with over 400,000 residents in each city. Other cities and provinces have smaller Chinese communities. For example, in Vancouver, Chinese speakers comprised 18% of residents, while people of Chinese descent made up just 4% of the total population in Alberta and Calgary. Compared to Toronto and Vancouver, all other provinces have a relatively small Chinese population.
Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Paraguay all have a significant Chinese population. In Brazil, there are over 200,000 Chinese, while the Chinese community in Panama is around 30,000 people. In Costa Rica, there are about 20,000 Chinese. Chinese communities also exist in Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and Bolivia.
The Chinese community of Thailand has one of the largest Chinatowns in the world, and is the country’s largest Chinese community outside of China. The number of Chinese in Thailand is smaller, but remains proportional to the overall population. Besides Thailand, Malaysia is also home to a large Chinese community, including several Chinatowns. The largest of these communities is in Selangor, which has a population of nearly one million Chinese.
In recent years, the Chinese community in Southeast Asia has seen a surge in migration from China. The Chinese community has been present in this region since the second century B.C., and today, thirty million Chinese are living in Southeast Asia. This is about 10% of the total population of the region. Since the nineteenth century, the Chinese government has encouraged its citizens to migrate abroad, in search of better economic conditions. Today, the Chinese community in Southeast Asia has a multi-class and multi-skilled profile.
Chinese communities have successfully merged their traditional ways of life with western activities and education. Many of their historic photographs, dating back to the late 1920s, reflect both their cultural heritage and their achievements. Their once bustling businesses, their educational and religious efforts, and their familial milestones are documented. In addition, they have developed their own unique art styles.
The Chinese community is composed of a large number of women compared to men. In 2001, only 5% of Chinese adults lived alone compared to one-third of the population in Canada. Women also make up a significant proportion of seniors in the Chinese community. In contrast, women made up 56% of the total population’s senior citizens.
Although Chinese elders are vulnerable to elder abuse, the prevalence of the condition remains low, largely due to its cultural sensitivity and lack of awareness. Moreover, Chinese elder abuse victims are often reluctant to disclose their cases to maintain family harmony and honor. This cultural sensitivity and low awareness of the disease is likely to make it more difficult for Chinese community elders to protect themselves and their loved ones. Therefore, it is imperative that Chinese organizations provide social workers who can facilitate effective connections between elders in Chinese communities and their families.
The Chinese community in Canada is unique compared to the population of the rest of the country. Most of its members do not practice any form of religious affiliation. Approximately 56% of Chinese residents aged fifteen and older report that they do not practice any religion. This makes them the largest non-European minority in Canada. If you are a member of the Chinese community, you may be wondering whether you should follow a specific religion.
A fundamental value in Chinese culture is harmony. Harmony is the proper and balanced coordination of things. It encompasses rationale, which refers to objective laws, and propriety, which means appropriateness. The goal of harmony is balance, but not uniformity. Proper coordination allows things to develop from an uncoordinated state to a coordinated state, and from asymmetry to symmetry.