Introduction / History

The Han Chinese are the largest ethnic group in the world. They are the majority in China, but there is a Chinese diaspora in most countries. The Chinese languages are united by a writing system that people who speak any of them can understand. It’s very different with spoken Chinese; few dialects are intelligible to each other. The largest Chinese language is Mandarin. We have specific profiles for Han Chinese people who speak various languages, but some don’t fit into any linguistic category. For these, we use the generic term “Chinese.” Such people are in 53 countries, including South Africa.

The Han Chinese began fleeing to other countries in 1276 after the Mongol invasion. Many other upheavals and conflicts followed, and the Chinese continued to settle in other nations. A small number came in the early 20th century. Chinese from Taiwan arrived in South Africa in the 1970s and 1990s, and many more came from the PRC in the early 2000s. They now outnumber those who arrived in the early 20th century. South Africa has the largest Chinese population in Africa. Most live in Johannesburg, a business hub.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Since we are only covering them on a broad basis, one might find the Chinese engaging in various types of work.

The Chinese value getting along with others. Typically, they will avoid conflict. When conflict arises, it can be very dangerous for both parties. There have been many conflicts between Black Africans and the Chinese for many decades. There have also been tensions between various Chinese ethnic groups.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Some Chinese in South Africa adhere to the traditional Chinese religion. They consult horoscopes in an attempt to determine what course of action will promote harmony and bring good luck. They also believe in a pantheon of spirits who inhabit the earth. The spirits of their ancestors supposedly roam the earth, and if treated properly, are benign and bring good luck. They believe ghosts exist as the spirits of people who are angry at the circumstances of their death; these spirits are malicious and capricious. By contrast, deities are the souls of people who lived especially virtuous lives. These deities have spiritual powers that can be used to benefit those who worship them. That motivates them to worship these deities.

It's also common for the Chinese to be secular. Spirituality sometimes seems meaningless to those who are working hard and trying to keep a family business afloat. Those who came from the PRC have been given a secular education, which reinforces this belief.

There is also a strong church among the Chinese that can be a blessing to those who lack a relationship with the only Savior.

What Are Their Needs?

Materialism is a harsh taskmaster. It’s easy for Mandarin Chinese people who work long hours to keep their businesses alive to forget the one who empowers them to make money. Many turn to ancient Chinese religion for “luck,” which distances them from the King of kings.

Prayer Items

Pray for the Lord's blessing on the Chinese diaspora and the work of their hands as a testimony of his goodness and power. May they understand that God is the source of both physical and spiritual blessing.
Pray for the Chinese in South Africa to have the spiritual hunger to find Jesus Christ and experience the abundant life only he can offer.
Pray for Chinese Christians in South Africa to allow the Holy Spirit to move powerfully through them for God’s Kingdom.
Pray for vibrant Chinese Christians in South Africa to reach those who have little to no chance of hearing about the only Savior.

Scripture Prayers for the Chinese, general in South Africa.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_South_Africans
https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/living-between-chinese-south-africa/