Television broadcasts of fireworks displays with dragon and lion dances around the world celebrating Chinese New Year indicate the spread of Chinese communities to the most far-flung places on the planet. Travelers with a taste for Chinese cuisine fear not, there is a Chinese restaurant wherever you go.

The Chinese are among the most significant migrants, seeking new pastures to spread a culture that dates back more than 3,000 years. One of the migrations dates back to the Ming Dynasty when Zheng He (1371–1435) became the envoy of the Ming emperor, Yong Le. He sent people — many of them Cantonese and Hokkien — to explore and trade in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.

There are now an estimated 50 million Chinese spread to every continent in the world, many of whom have taken leading roles in their communities and local politics. Many, with their antecedents being of the Chinese race, have become heads of state, business leaders, notable entertainers, and academics. Winners of international competitions in mathematics, science, and technology, as well as sporting contests, are now seen as nationals of Chinese descent. Overseas Chinese are known as “Huaren” or “Huaqiao” (ethnic Chinese residing outside China).

The Chinese diaspora is thriving, sharing their cultural traditions with the residents of their adoptive homes. The largest overseas Chinese population is in Asia (34.6 million), followed by the continent of America (about 9.8 million). As a testament to their global reach, there has been steady growth in total numbers in every continent since 2010. The overseas Chinese population of Europe (1.32 to 2.38 million) and Oceania (0.95 to 1.77 million) has nearly doubled. However, the most significant growth occurred in Africa, with an increase from 0.24 to 1.18 million—a surge of almost 500 percent in just 12 years, reflecting the dynamic nature of the Chinese diaspora in a developing economy.

There were 5.6 million Chinese Americans in the United States alone as of the end of 2024. The New York metropolitan area contains the largest ethnic Chinese population outside Asia, comprising an estimated 865,000, followed by Los Angeles with 678,000, and San Francisco with 582,000.

Chinese Canadians account for about 4.72 percent of the country’s total population. According to the most recent official census, there were 1.7 million people of Chinese descent in Canada, with British Columbia having the highest percentage of the ethnic Chinese population. Of Canadian cities, Toronto tops the list with 668,700, followed by Vancouver with 475,160.

Surprisingly, only 445,000 people of Chinese descent, representing 0.7 percent of the population, live in the United Kingdom, according to its latest census. However, this figure could increase because of the number of people who have emigrated there in recent years, so the figure today could be closer to half a million.

On numerous occasions, Chinese President Xi Jinping has made remarks on the importance of the overseas Chinese, including the following:

“We will improve and strengthen our work related to Chinese nationals overseas to give shape to a powerful joint force for advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”

“The contributions of numerous overseas Chinese are an inseparable part of the country’s reform, opening-up, and development.”

“We need to expand our ties with overseas Chinese, overseas Chinese nationals who have returned to China, and relatives of overseas Chinese nationals who live in China, and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, encourage them to actively participate in and support the modernization and peaceful reunification of China, and support their efforts to promote cultural exchange between China and other countries.”

“As long as overseas Chinese are united, they can play an irreplaceable role in realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation. They are patriotic and rich in capital, talent, resources, and business connections.”

Since the 1990s, China has intentionally invested in and sought allies around the world, especially in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, collaborating in economic and political activities. Over the past 10 years, since China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, the number of migrants from China has increased significantly in Africa and the Middle East. There are over one million Chinese in Africa, and more than half a million in the Middle East — most of whom live in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. The growing Chinese population in Africa reflects the impact of the BRI. The massive investment and infrastructure projects that China brought into Africa have also opened doors for Chinese workers and professionals.

This huge overseas population can act as a conduit to a greater understanding of China and its position in the geopolitical sphere. Chinese culture is unique, and its cuisine is divine. More and more foreigners are picking up Putonghua as their second language, and travel to China is increasing annually. As the world is uniting through peaceful exchanges, only the politicians with self-serving motives stand in the way of world peace.

The author is a former chief information officer of the Hong Kong government, a PR/ media consultant and veteran journalist.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.