Chinatowns serve as important places for people with Chinese ancestry to learn about their heritage and identity. They are also places where they can meet other people who share their cultural practices and language.
People with Chinese ancestry who live outside of China and Taiwan are called overseas Chinese.
History
In the United States, Chinatowns have been established in cities such as San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles and New York. Chinese people are also widely spread throughout the world and residing in countries such as Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Ethnic Chinese living outside of China are usually referred to as Zhongguoren (
The first wave of migrants from China arrived in the Western world during the late 18th century. Many viewed themselves as sojourners and expected to return to their homeland once they had gained sufficient wealth.
As the economy deteriorated after the Civil War, anti-Chinese sentiment became politically politicized by labor leaders such as Denis Kearney and John Bigler who blamed Chinese “coolies” for depressing wages and costing European Americans jobs. Legislation enacted in the Asiatic Exclusion Act of 1917 and later in the Immigration Restriction Act of 1924 prohibited immigrants from entering the United States from a number of areas including all of China.
Culture
Traditional Chinese culture emphasizes the importance of family and group relations. Those values include a sense of community, loyalty, courtesy and wisdom. People in this type of society usually are more likely to work together to achieve their goals rather than compete with each other for resources and status. The social and family bonds also make it easier for entrepreneurs to find funding and support for their businesses.
Traditionally, China was an agrarian society, and most people lived in the same village their entire lives. Emigration controls imposed after World War II and the Chinese Communist Revolution limited movement.
A common trait among Chinese is the concept of Guanxi, a network of relationships built through a mutual exchange of favors that enhances social standing. A person’s Guanxi can be used to secure a job, obtain financial assistance, gain entrance into an educational institution or secure a business deal. The process is often done in a way that saves face for both parties, so it’s important to ask for and accept favours with caution.
Education
The Chinese community continues to play an important role in America. Its members have a wealth of knowledge in business, banking, real estate and other industries. Many of them have also earned advanced degrees. Compared to the general foreign-born population, Chinese immigrants are more likely to have obtained lawful permanent resident status and be employed in management positions.
In the United States, the largest concentration of Chinese is in California and New York. They live in urban areas, often in ethnic neighborhoods called Chinatowns. In these communities, social and family associations help maintain Chinese language and culture. These organizations include the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, district and other business associations and family and clan associations.
Many of these groups also sponsor Chinese-language schools, which help people learn the language and cultural values that are essential to business success. These schools also offer a variety of cultural and recreational activities. Many Chinese people living in English-speaking countries change their names to follow the Western tradition, although they may keep their traditional name for religious or cultural reasons.
Employment
In America, Chinese Americans work in a variety of fields including construction, agriculture, finance, and food service. They also run small businesses like restaurants, retail stores, and laundromats. The community is also a major contributor to the local economy through tourism.
The majority of the Chinese population in the United States lives in California and New York City. The capital district of New York is home to the largest Chinese community outside of Asia.
Historically, the Chinese immigrated to America for economic opportunity and self-sufficiency. Many worked on the Western half of the Transcontinental Railroad, levees in the Sacramento River Delta, and in agriculture. However, they were often victimized by racism and racial discrimination. After World War II, severe immigration restrictions were eased and later reforms made family unification a priority. This led to the growth of Chinese communities in cities such as Los Angeles and New York City. These newer immigrants are a more educated and skilled group than previous generations of Chinese who settled in the West.