Americans in China
Encyclopedia
Americans in China comprises expatriates and immigrants from the United States
as well as their locally born descendants. The number of Americans living in China
has reached a historic high of 110,000.
(48,220 in 1999), with much smaller numbers in Beijing
(10,000), Guangzhou
(3,200), Shanghai
(2,382), Shenyang
(555) and Chengdu
(800).
, Eden Woon, is the first American to hold the position in the territory's history. In addition, ships of the United States Navy
make from 60 to 80 port visits each year.
conducted in 2010, there are 71,493 Americans residing in Mainland China, the second largest single group of foreign nationals. Americans have been coming to China for job opportunities since 1994. Shanghai and Beijing are becoming new lands of opportunity for recent American college graduates who face unemployment nearing double digits back in the United States. In the last few years, a growing number of Americans in their 20s and 30s have been heading to China for employment, lured by its faster-growing economy and lower jobless rate. Many of them do basic work such as teaching English
, a service in demand from Chinese businesspeople and students and a growing number are arriving with skills and experience in computers, finance and other fields.
Managers hiring American and other foreign workers in China appear to be paying them a premium for Western experience as they have specialized knowledge of the West. This is because Chinese companies need workers who understand China and the West, so they can develop a business presence and influence in overseas markets. Foreigners tend to earn 10 to 15 percent more than their Chinese counterparts in similar positions. Today, most Americans in the country are teachers, hairdressers, diplomats, travelers, students and businesspeople.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as well as their locally born descendants. The number of Americans living in China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
has reached a historic high of 110,000.
Overview
Most Americans in China reside in Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
(48,220 in 1999), with much smaller numbers in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
(10,000), Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
(3,200), Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
(2,382), Shenyang
Shenyang
Shenyang , or Mukden , is the capital and largest city of Liaoning Province in Northeast China. Currently holding sub-provincial administrative status, the city was once known as Shengjing or Fengtianfu...
(555) and Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
(800).
Hong Kong
Since the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong, Americans have arguably surpassed the British as the major non-Chinese influence. There are more Americans than Britons living in the territory, and 1,100 American companies employ 10% of the Hong Kong workforce; the current head of the Hong Kong General Chamber of CommerceHong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1861. It is a self-funding, non-profit organization whose mission is to safeguard and represent trade, service and industry in Hong Kong...
, Eden Woon, is the first American to hold the position in the territory's history. In addition, ships of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
make from 60 to 80 port visits each year.
Mainland China
According to the Sixth National Population CensusSixth National Population Census of the People's Republic of China
The Sixth National Population Census of the People's Republic of China, also referred to as the 2010 Chinese Census, was conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics of the People's Republic of China with a zero hour of November 1, 2010....
conducted in 2010, there are 71,493 Americans residing in Mainland China, the second largest single group of foreign nationals. Americans have been coming to China for job opportunities since 1994. Shanghai and Beijing are becoming new lands of opportunity for recent American college graduates who face unemployment nearing double digits back in the United States. In the last few years, a growing number of Americans in their 20s and 30s have been heading to China for employment, lured by its faster-growing economy and lower jobless rate. Many of them do basic work such as teaching English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, a service in demand from Chinese businesspeople and students and a growing number are arriving with skills and experience in computers, finance and other fields.
Managers hiring American and other foreign workers in China appear to be paying them a premium for Western experience as they have specialized knowledge of the West. This is because Chinese companies need workers who understand China and the West, so they can develop a business presence and influence in overseas markets. Foreigners tend to earn 10 to 15 percent more than their Chinese counterparts in similar positions. Today, most Americans in the country are teachers, hairdressers, diplomats, travelers, students and businesspeople.