Eurasians of Chinese ancestry in contemporary greater China and Singapore

Abstract

Eurasians ("of mixed European and Asian ancestry") appeared during the age of European colonialism in Asia. With globalisation and increased acceptance of mixed-race marriages in recent decades, numbers of Eurasians are growing, despite being a small minority overall in societies. Limited research has been undertaken on mixed-race individuals in Asia, especially in Greater China and in the context of China’s development. This study looks to contribute to this gap in research by providing a better understanding of contemporary Eurasians of mixed Chinese and Caucasian ancestry in Greater China and Singapore. Firstly, analysis is undertaken to provide an estimate of population sizes in People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Singapore. Secondly, through twenty semi-structured interviews the study looks to provide a broad understanding of the Eurasian experience in Asia in terms of issues faced, as well as in the context of China’s development and how this impacts their lives and careers. In addition to population size estimates, key findings are the experience of being Eurasian is generally positive overall, although there are elements of both Chinese and Western features in identities and in how others perceive them. Some may lean one way or the other, although it can be highly contextual on factors like location (one side may stand out more in some places) or whether in a personal or work setting. Certain issues highlighted are also fairly unique to Eurasians (or other mixed-race individuals), including how one looks, use of ambiguity or perceptions around use of name. Furthermore, the impact of China’s recent development in lives and careers is common for many in the sample group, reflecting interviewees’ strong connectivity to People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong. Extensive use of quotations from interviewees are used in the study to provide colour and nuance of experiences in interviewees’ own words.