The Chinese community is an important part of the world’s economy and culture. It is also one of the largest ethnic minority groups in the United States, Europe and Asia.
In the United States, the Chinese community is the third largest immigrant origin group (after Mexicans and Indians). They make up 5 percent of the country’s 45.3 million immigrants.
In the United States of America
The Chinese community in the United States of America has a long history. It has grown in large numbers over the years, particularly since the late nineteenth century.
As immigrants, most Chinese came to the United States with the intention of working hard and earning a living. They did this in a number of ways, including as migrant laborers and as business owners.
Eventually, they grew into major Chinatowns, settling in cities across the country. The largest of these is in New York City, where over 100,000 people live and work.
The Chinese community is a diverse group, with many different origins. Among them are those with roots in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia.
In Europe
The European continent is home to one of the world’s largest Chinese communities. It comprises two main communities – the United Kingdom and France.
The Chinese community in Europe is a complex phenomenon that can be traced back to the 19th century. However, it has only really taken off in the last three decades, as China has been open to mass migration from its citizens.
Those who have migrated to Europe in recent years are often young, educated and professional. They can be seen as an important economic and cultural factor in their host country.
The Chinese community in Europe consists of many different sub-groups that address a wide range of issues, such as citizenship, political culture, labour market exclusion, generational shifts and the influences of colonialism and communism. These factors have led to the development of a variety of institutions that contribute to ethnic meaning in European Chinese communities. These institutions have a dual purpose, to offer a European image that reflects the expectations of the migrants and to provide support for integration.
In Asia
Chinese have a strong presence throughout Southeast Asia and are a significant economic contributor to that region. They are also a source of cultural influence, particularly in the areas of food, language and medicine.
In Singapore, for example, an estimated 2 million of the nation’s 3 million population are Chinese. In Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, the numbers are much larger.
These communities vary in size and assimilation rates, but all share a common culture, which emphasizes selfless subordination to family and community. This, in turn, may lead to lower levels of personal control among Asians than among individuals from Western cultures.
In Africa
The Chinese community in Africa has been growing rapidly. Most of the Chinese migrant workers are laborers, but there are also increasing numbers of intellectuals and professionals moving to Africa.
They are hired by Chinese state-owned enterprises and independent companies to work on construction, oil, mining, and other projects. Some of them choose to start their own businesses.
The Chinese people in Africa are not always accepted by the locals, but they try to adjust and become a part of their communities. Some of them also donate to charities and help with disasters in the country.