British Chinese

British Chinese

British Chinese, also known as Chinese British or Chinese Britons, are people of Han Chinese ancestry who live in the United Kingdom. They are the second-largest group of Overseas Chinese in Western Europe after France.

The United Kingdom has the oldest Chinese community in Western Europe. The first Chinese people arrived between 1842, after the First Opium War, and the 1940s, after World War II. They settled in ports like Liverpool, London, Cardiff, and Glasgow. Many British Chinese today come from former British colonies such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore. In recent years, people have also come from Vietnam, mainland China, and Hong Kong.

According to the 2021 Census, there were over 500,000 people of Chinese ethnic group in the United Kingdom. British Chinese live in many cities, including London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Cambridge. They are often among the most successful in education and work.

Terminology

In the United Kingdom, the word "Asian" usually means people from South Asian countries, like Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, and Kashmiris. For a long time, people of Chinese ancestry were not clearly counted in official records.

The first time a question about ethnicity was asked in a UK census was in 1991. In 2001, Chinese people were placed in a category called "Chinese or other ethnic group," not under "Asian or Asian British." By 2011, the census allowed people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to choose "Chinese" as their ethnicity, and in Scotland, they could choose "Chinese, Chinese Scottish or Chinese British."

The term "British Chinese" started being used in the 1990s to describe people who feel both British and Chinese. This helps those who might not feel fully "British" or fully "Chinese." Other terms like "British East Asian" and "British East and Southeast Asian" are also used, especially when talking about racism, like during the COVID-19 pandemic.

History

Main article: History of Chinese immigration to the United Kingdom

Britain has had Chinese people living there since the 1800s. Many Chinese people came to the United Kingdom over time. Some of the first Chinese people in Britain were sailors who worked for the British East India Company. They often stayed in ports like Liverpool and London, which helped create early Chinatown areas.

In the 1950s, many people from Hong Kong's New Territories moved to Britain and opened restaurants. Later, people from Malaysia, Singapore, and China also came. Some came to study, while others looked for work. Today, Chinese people in Britain come from many different places and do many kinds of jobs.

Demographics

The 2021 United Kingdom census counted 502,216 British Chinese people. They make up 0.8% of the population. Most live in England, with fewer in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Some cities with big British Chinese communities are the City of London, Cambridge, Tower Hamlets, Westminster, and Camden.

According to the 2011 census, British Chinese people were the least religious group in the UK. More than half did not follow any religion. Many follow Christianity, Buddhism, or Islam, but some have no specific religion.

Community

Historically, British Chinatowns started as places where Chinese communities could live together. You can find them in big cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield, and Aberdeen. Today, these areas have fewer Chinese families and are more like tourist spots with many Chinese restaurants and shops.

There are groups in the UK that help the Chinese community. Some groups organize social events, while others share news and cultural stories. There is also a center that offers support to people of Chinese background facing challenges.

Since the year 2000, many young British Chinese have used online discussion sites to talk about their lives and experiences in Britain. In these online spaces and community activities, they sometimes call themselves “British-born Chinese” or “BBCs”.

The Chinese population in London is spread out across the city. According to the 2011 census, Greater London had many British Chinese people, making up a small part of the city's population.

There are Chinese community centers in several parts of London, including Kensington and Chelsea, Southwark, Westminster, Camden, Greenwich, Lewisham, and Tower Hamlets. These centers host many activities and events.

The Westminster Chinese Library, located at Charing Cross Library, has a large collection of Chinese books, music, and videos for people to borrow. It also offers information and organizes Chinese events.

The Ming-Ai (London) Institute works on projects to remember and celebrate the ways British Chinese people have helped local communities.

Chinese New Year celebrations in London began in the 1960s and include colorful parades, fireworks, and dances. There are also shows in Trafalgar Square with dragon and lion dances, and performances of traditional and modern Chinese arts. Fireworks light up Leicester Square, and London Chinatown has food stalls, decorations, and more. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 celebrations happened online instead.

The London Dragon Boat Festival happens every June at the London Regatta Centre in Royal Albert Docks. It is organized by the London Chinatown Lions Club.

London also holds the British Chinese Food Awards each year. This event celebrates great cooking, talent, and business skills in Chinese food across the UK.

Main article: Chinese community in London

Racism

Main article: Racism in the United Kingdom § Chinese

Some people in the United Kingdom have faced unfair treatment because of their race. British Chinese people have said that racism against them is sometimes not taken as seriously as racism against other groups. Many racist actions against British Chinese go unreported because people do not trust the police.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many British Chinese people faced more racism. Some were called mean names and felt unsafe. This made many feel sad. The community came together to support each other. Groups like Britain’s East and Southeast Asian Network helped share positive stories. Churches also offered support and friendship.

Socioeconomics

Since the 1960s, the British Chinese community has made big steps in education and jobs. Many British Chinese people work in restaurants and food services. They are very well educated and usually earn more money than other groups in the UK. They tend to stay healthier, get into fewer troubles with the law, and do better in school.

But British Chinese people sometimes face unfair treatment and discrimination. They also often own fewer homes and are among the least wealthy groups in the UK. About half of British Chinese children live in families that struggle financially after paying for things like rent.

The British Chinese place a lot of importance on education. Many families focus on helping their children do well in school, even if it means extra tutoring or giving up other activities. Because of this, British Chinese students often do very well in school. They are more likely than students from other backgrounds to take advanced science classes and to get good grades. Many British Chinese parents believe that a good education is the key to success in life. Because of this focus on learning, British Chinese people are more likely to go to university and to get higher-paying jobs than many other groups in the UK.

Arts

The esea contemporary helps show work by modern Chinese artists. It started in 1986 in Manchester, a city with many people from China.

The Yellow Earth Theatre is a group in London. It started in 1995. It shows the talents of East Asian performers and writers in Britain.

Here are some British Chinese musicians:

British Chinese films and TV shows include:

Documentaries include:

Radio shows include:

Books and publishing include efforts to share stories about China with the world.

Notable individuals

Main article: List of British Chinese people

Many people with Chinese roots have done great work in the United Kingdom. They are from many places and have succeeded in many areas. Their stories show the rich culture and history of British Chinese communities.