Wherever you go, you can find vibrant Chinese communities; Chinatowns exist in many countries around the world. In this article, we will explore the global Chinese population and their various locations. What is the world overseas Chinese population?
The Chinese people, commonly referred to as “Chinese,” inhabit around 160 countries, making them a truly global presence. While over 1.4 billion Chinese live in China, we will focus today on those residing outside of their homeland.
Globally, approximately 60 million Chinese live abroad. They span regions from Southeast Asia to North America, from Africa to Europe, and from Australia to Latin America. These communities exist in nearly every corner of the world and play a significant role in the multicultural landscape while carrying forward their rich heritage.
Having established a population of about 60 million Chinese outside of China, we must ask: Are they all the same? And do they still practice their cultural traditions?
The answers often depend on when they first settled in their host countries. We must understand that as minorities in foreign lands, they tend to integrate into the local culture over time, influenced by different customs and traditions. Maintaining their original Chinese culture can be costly and requires significant effort. This assumption generally holds true for most overseas Chinese, although one special group will be discussed later in the article.
Now, let look at Where Are the Chinese People?
In term of the continents, the Chinese are mainly concentrated in:
- Southeast Asia : Over 40 million Chinese live in this region, accounting for approximately 70% of the global Chinese population. This area is one of the earliest locations of large-scale overseas Chinese settlements.
- North America: Approximately 6 million Chinese reside in the United States and Canada.
- Oceania : About 1.5 million Chinese make their home in Australia and New Zealand.
- Europe : The Chinese population in Europe exceeds 2.5 million, primarily found in the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy.
- Latin America and the Caribbean : Around 1.5 million Chinese live in countries such as Peru, Cuba, and Brazil, reflecting a long-standing presence in the region.
- Africa: About 1 million Chinese reside in Africa, with significant communities in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and other nations.
Top 5 country with Highest Chinese Population
In term of the country, the top 5 country with the highest Chinese population are :
Who are this “Overseas Chinese”?
Before we explore further, I want to clarify an essential concept regarding “Overseas Chinese.” We need to understand that two distinct groups exist:
- “Overseas Chinese:” – This term refers to Chinese citizens who retain their nationality and live abroad for extended periods. They may go overseas for study, work, or business relocation. Many of them plan to return to China to maintain their customs and traditions, while others might choose to stay longer as Permanent Residents.
- “Overseas Chinese Ethnic:” This group includes individuals of Chinese descent who have acquired the nationality of their residing countries. They may have lived abroad for several generations, like myself.
The confusion between these two groups often surprises even many in mainland China. During my travels to China, locals would sometimes ask when I planned to move back to China. They seemed curious as to why my family continues to live overseas for such a long period. Little did they realize that I don’t identify as belonging to China.
How do the “Overseas Chinese” get to where they are now?
The history of Chinese migration worldwide dates back to the Silk Road during the Han Dynasty over 2,000 years ago. However, I will focus on more recent events and significant phases of large-scale migration:
- Initial migration during the Ming and Qing dynasties- Since the 15th century, merchants and laborers from coastal regions like Fujian, Guangdong, and Hainan migrated to Southeast Asia. They engaged in trade, fishing, and agriculture, gradually establishing the “Nanyang Chinese” and the unique “Baba Nyonya” culture. The are many buildings in Melaka that relates to the Ming Dynasty sea expedition convoy.
- The Coolie Wave in the 19th Century- After the Opium War, turmoil in China led Western powers to export many Chinese laborers (known as “coolies”) to North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. These laborers built railways and worked in agriculture and mining, forming early Chinese communities in Latin America and the United States.
- The wave of studying abroad and skilled immigration after World War II- . Following World War II, political changes in China and relaxed immigration policies in Western countries prompted large numbers of Chinese individuals from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia to immigrate to North America, Oceania, and Europe. During this period, many Chinese communities in Southeast Asia also formed.
- Modern global migration after reform and opening up- In 1978, China’s reforms sparked a new wave of emigration. Students, investors, and entrepreneurs began to leave mainland China continuously. As China integrated into the global economy in the 21st century, education, investment, and entrepreneurship drove a new wave of Chinese immigration.
Are the “Overseas Chinese” still living like a Chinese?
Chinese communities worldwide are diverse. The “Han people” itself for example, consist of various groups that speak different dialects and possess distinct customs and traditions. The “Overseas Chinese” also exhibit diverse cultural characteristics based on their migration periods, regional backgrounds, and levels of cultural integration:
1. Southeast Asian Chinese.
This group has a long history and a high degree of integration. Many have localized as “Peranakans,” like the “Baba Nyonya” in Malaysia and Singapore. They speak local dialects, practice various religions such as Islam or Christianity, and use mixed languages. They uphold traditions like the Spring Festival and Qingming Festival while creating unique culinary and clothing cultures.
2. Chinese in North America and Europe
These individuals mainly consist of modern, skilled immigrants and international students with high education levels. They typically reside in large cities like San Francisco, New York, Toronto, London, and Paris. While Mandarin and Cantonese remain predominant, English increasingly becomes the main language. They establish large Chinese churches, temples, schools, and newspapers, representing contemporary overseas Chinese culture
3. Chinese in Latin America and the Caribbean
Many individuals from this region are descendants of coolies who migrated during the 19th century. In countries like Peru, Cuba, and Jamaica, these communities are often mixed-race. Some may have lost their ability to speak Chinese, but they still retain their “Chinese surnames,” “ancestral tablets,” and “Spring Festival customs.” Together with local communities, they have created a “China-Latin America fusion culture.”
4. Chinese in Africa
This group mainly comprises new immigrants. In recent years, with increasing opportunities, more Chinese have relocated to Africa for work and investment.
Malaysian Chinese Community - The Most Distinctive Group of the Overseas Chinese
As I mentioned earlier, a unique group of overseas Chinese has successfully preserved most of their original customs and traditions better than any other overseas Chinese community: they are the Malaysian Chinese.
Malaysian Chinese have lived in Malaysia for centuries. Instead of allowing the local language and culture to dilute their identity, they have thrived, forging a unique Malaysian Chinese culture that retains many of their original customs. This preservation amazes even tourists from mainland China, who find that Malaysian Chinese continue to practice traditions that have vanished in their homeland.
The early waves of Malaysian Chinese immigrants arrived before several significant events happened in mainland China, contributing to their distinct identity. They largely remain unaffected by crucial changes brought by events such as the Chinese Revolution, the China civil war, the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the Cultural Revolution, and the Economic Reforms.
In addition to maintaining their Chinese beliefs through temples, the community actively preserves its traditions through association buildings, graveyards, funeral ceremonies, and festival celebrations. They continue to speak their original dialects, including Hokkien, Hakka, Cantonese, Teochew, and of course the Mandarin.
The World Oldest Chinese Newspaper is in Malaysia
Did you know that the oldest Chinese newspaper still in operation today is in Malaysia? It’s hard to believe, but it’s true—it’s not located in China.
The newspaper was established in 1910 by the Chinese revolutionary Mr. Sun Yat-sen, and it’s called Kwong Wah Yit Poh (光华日报) [https://www.kwongwah.com.my].
Malaysian Chinese Education System
One of their most significant achievements is establishing a Malaysian Chinese education system. Malaysia stands out as the only country outside of China that offers a complete Chinese educational system from primary to secondary, and up to tertiary levels. More than 1,400 Chinese primary schools operate under a unified system. Most of the Chinese there attended at least six years of complete primary Chinese education.
However, the Malaysian Chinese community invests significant resources and effort to maintain this educational system and cultural heritage. As the Chinese says, “No matter how poor you are, you can’t be poor in education”. For the past century, they have committed themselves to this endeavor, and the new generation too shows determination to continue for many years to come.
Conclusion for "Where Are The Chinese People In The World?"
Chinese communities around the world actively demonstrate the continuity of Chinese civilization. They play a significant role in immigration history and model cultural integration. From traditional temple fairs to modern startups, and from labor workers to scientists, these communities create “Chinese stories” in diverse and determined ways across the globe.
Various Chinese festivals and celebrations, such as the Chinese New Year, the Lunar Festival, and the winter solstice, make the world more vibrant. These events share and enrich their profound cultural heritage with everyone. I plan to write about Chinese festivals in a future article.
However, I see a significant challenge arising from the pressure of local cultural dilution. Many Chinese communities around the world are localizing, and in some cases, even not retaining their Chinese names. This issue deserves our deep thought and concern.
