The Chinese community has a rich cultural heritage and identity. They have a history of migrating overseas and are spread around the world.
Many Chinese people living in English-speaking countries will adopt a Western name for their personal and professional lives. However, they will often use their traditional names in other circumstances.
Origins
In response to harsh economic conditions and legal exclusion, Chinese in America have traditionally created tight-knit communities known as Chinatowns. These self-reliant neighborhoods were a second home to Chinese immigrants, where they could shop for food and household items that reminded them of their homeland and worship in traditional temples.
It was also a social center, where they could gather to discuss business and politics or to catch up on the latest news from family in China. For older Chinese, the community was a source of protection against hostile outsiders.
It is not uncommon for three generations to live under one roof. This is a reflection of the value that the Chinese place on family. They call it “Family First.” It is also a manifestation of their strong sense of ethnic identity.
Migration
A large number of Chinese from the upper middle class and the super-rich have been emigrating abroad in recent years. This trend is concerning to China, since it is associated with money-laundering, capital drain and felony escape (CCG, 2015).
While the gold in California ran dry and prejudice confined them to dismal Chinatowns, generations of Chinese continued to migrate in search of a better life, remitting their meager earnings to support family back home. Chinese community organizations provide space for intergenerational language transmission and connections to Chinese culture. They also foster cultural exchange and facilitate business opportunities. These activities create a positive impact on the local economy and social fabric of the communities where they settle. They also serve as a model to other overseas Chinese communities around the world.
Education
Since the early 20th century, Chinese Americans have founded schools to keep their language and heritage alive. The schools also serve as an alternative to American mainstream schools where Chinese remained a less commonly taught language until very recent years.
In the past several decades, China has placed increasing emphasis on education and increased efforts to provide its citizens with access to education. The country has worked to standardize and promote its common language, Putonghua, simplify the written characters and introduce romanized forms, promoting literacy.
In 1986 the Compulsory Education Law established that every child had the right to nine years of education. The policy aimed to provide universal primary and lower secondary education by dividing the nation into three categories: cities, economically developed areas of coastal provincial-level units and a small number of developed interior towns; counties; and villages.
Employment
Chinese communities are often active in supporting business and community initiatives. The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) has long performed a quasi-governmental role in Chinatown and assists new immigrants in their pursuit of US citizenship and business ownership.
Community language schools are typically staffed by volunteer teachers. Their dedication promotes a sense of community and enhances language learning. The classes also incorporate elements of culture to provide a fuller experience.
Those who learn to speak Chinese gain an edge in their careers. Kyle, who has a background in environmental studies and adventure photography, finds that his fluency with the language opens up opportunities to work on projects that combine his skills. His current job involves presenting research at health fairs and engaging Chinese adults to participate in a study.
Culture
In China, people are encouraged to be loyal to the nation, family and community for a strong sense of unity and protection. This is one of the most collectivist cultures in the world.
When living in Western countries, Chinese often adopt a romanised form of their name in order to be understood in social and business environments. However, most will return to their original Chinese names when speaking in their native language.
Originally, most Chinese in Texas were men whose primary purpose for coming to America was to make money to support their families in China that they hoped to eventually rejoin. Until the late 1920s or 1930s, the exclusion law barred women from accompanying them. As a result, the typical Chinese American community was a bachelor society until the repeal of the exclusion law in 1943 and the War Bride Act allowed women to join their husbands.