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Background to
the Research
- The Chinese began to arrive
in NI in the early 1960s; the community is the largest ethnic minority
group in NI (seventh biggest in the UK). Forty-one percent of the
Chinese Community in NI live in Belfast. The majority of Chinese residents
who live in NI come from rural areas of Hong Kong and the New Territories,
the commonality between these areas is underdevelopment; economically,
socially and educationally. The reasons given by many for leaving
their country were overcrowding and searching for an improvement in
their quality of life.
- Family members share a strong
sense of identity and they expect loyalty and support from each other.
The vast majority of those who immigrated in the 1950s have not acquired
a command of English as a second language.
- The majority who moved to
NI work in the catering business. The demands of this type of work
involve working long and unsociable hours. As a consequence, there
are problems with being integrated into the wider community. The first
Chinese restaurant, 'The Peacock', opened in Belfast in 1962.
- The 1991 (NI) Census revealed
that 65 per cent of the Chinese community own their own homes compared
to 62 per cent of the general population. The possible reason for
such high ownership is the NIHE criterion that they are resident in
the Province for seven years before they can rent from local authorities.
- Since Hong Kong is not a welfare
state and has no National Health Service, many Chinese are unaware
of the medical and health services available to them as well as welfare
payments. For example, a recent Barnardo's survey revealed that 42
per cent of Chinese people do not know how to contact a General Practitioner.
- The main aim of this study
is to provide an overview of the problems facing the Chinese community
in NI, for instance, in education, housing, health and
social care, and racial harassment. The authors argue that highlighting
these issues will hopefully remove the stigma of 'difference' or 'invisibility'
faced by many Chinese people, and so help establish the Chinese community
more firmly in Northern Irish society.
Research Approach
- The authors have used exclusively
secondary source material to formulate their case study, for example,
government reports and policies, academic literature, the Census,
and information from a diverse array of voluntary groups. A number
of issues are addressed such as: health, social welfare, education,
housing and racial harassment.
Main Findings
- The main findings of this
paper highlight the issue of discrimination towards the Chinese community,
for example, in education, housing, social welfare and health. Difficulties
with language have been a major obstacle, for instance, a Barnardos'
survey of 50 Chinese families found that 90 per cent of interviewees
identified the 'language barrier' as their biggest obstacle to integration
with the wider community. This issue obviously raises concerns over
access to health and social provisions. The issue of racial discrimination
is also addressed in the chapter; this can take a number of forms,
for example, attacks on persons, attacks on property, threats of abuse
and racial graffiti. It is emphasised by the authors that racial harassment
is a regular occurrence in NI and is in no way side
tracked by sectarianism.
Conclusion
- The Chinese community are
now in their fourth decade of residence in NI. The last
decade has seen a more positive change as the community has grown.
The Chinese Welfare Association has been pro-active in its fight for
change and is given a lot of credit for this transition. The authors
argue that there is a need for more participation by Chinese people
to break the stereotype of 'the silent minority', as well as effective
race relation's legislation to combat discrimination. Equality of
opportunity, respect, and equality of treatment are, it is argued,
a right for all citizens in society regardless of race or ethnicity.
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