The Chinese Community in Northern Ireland

The history of the Chinese Community in Northern Ireland traces its roots to the early 1960s, when the first Chinese arrived here. Since this period their numbers have evolved progressively. Currently there are around 8000 Chinese resident in Northern Ireland, representing 51% of the total ethnic minority population. The Chinese community is currently the largest and most dispersed ethnic minority group living in the North. The majority of this community resides in the Greater Belfast Urban Area; there are also significant numbers in Craigavon, Lisburn, Newtownabbey, North Down and Derry.

A high proportion of the Chinese here were born outside Northern Ireland, with seven out of ten of those having been born in Hong Kong. Other places of origin include China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Singapore. Entering for the purposes of employment is by far the most common reasons for moving to Northern Ireland; followed by requests for study visas and as spouses of British citizens. The Chinese Welfare Association has also witnessed an increase in applications for political asylum from people coming from The People’s Republic of China

Most, although not all, of the Chinese resident here are concentrated in the catering industry. The long demanding and unsociable hours associated with this industry has compounded the problem of isolation experienced by many in the Chinese Community and has made integration difficult.

Language has certainly been identified as one of the major barriers, inhibiting the Chinese community from integrating with the wider society. Many of the first generation of Chinese who came to Northern Ireland were able to gain only a few years of primary education in Hong Kong and as such when they arrived in Northern Ireland most were illiterate in their own language so we can imagine the difficulty in trying to learn English in an institutional setting in a new country. Even Individuals who have moved here in more recent years, particularly those who are employed in the catering business, have had little opportunity or incentive to learn English. In these situations, Chinese is spoken in the family home at all times. Very often when a young person starts school this may be the first time they will speak English.

This language barrier also generates difficulties in obtaining equitable access to health, social services, welfare, housing and training opportunities. Language has in many ways compounded the problem of isolation experienced by many in the Chinese Community, especially Chinese women. Strict immigration laws mean that many Chinese couples have no extended family. If they live in a rural area they may well be the only Chinese family there. Without the support of relatives or friends and unable to establish social networks through the connections of families, churches or employment life can become very difficult and lonely.

Racism, harassment and discrimination are experiences which the Chinese Community continue to encounter. Attacks can take the form of physical mental and verbal abuse, threatening language; stone throwing, spitting and robbery and unfortunately it affects children as well as adults and senior citizens. In a survey of Chinese teenagers born in Northern Ireland from South and East Belfast it was unveiled that an alarming 100% had experienced some kind of racially motivated attacks (both verbal and physical). Many admitted that they felt treated as unwelcome visitors, despite the fact they were born here. Likewise many of the Chinese elderly community, especially in areas of Belfast, do not like leaving their home after three in the afternoon for fear of being attacked, or harassed. Many of them live alone and do not speak English. They have reported to us that they feel like prisoners in their own home.

Racial Crime has increased within the last few years. Between 1996 and 2001 there was 444% increase in the number of racial incidents recorded by the Police. Figures released by the PSNI last year, showed that there were 212 racial incidents reported in the eight months before Christmas. Whilst this is an alarming figure it is only the tip of the ice-berg there are many more incidents which go unreported for one reason or another.

Incidents of Racial harassment are by no means a new development; many of the first Chinese families to arrive in the province reported problems and feelings of vulnerability and isolation. In the past the troubles overshadowed the hostility and harassment experienced by ethnic minorities and many in positions of authority denied that Racism is a problem here. However there are many alarming stories, experiences and statistics which illustrate the victimisation felt by the Chinese and other minority ethnic communities. Reports have highlighted that people in Northern Ireland are twice as likely to be racist than Sectarian and currently Northern Ireland has the highest level of recorded racial incidents in the UK. This is extremely worrying and it is certainly an irony that Northern Ireland, a society which has had such a long history of emigration has treated its ethnic minority population in such a way.

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