- Li Wang
"At my first InterNations Rome Get-Together I met more expats then expected. InterNations made is so easy to settle in."
What It’s Like to Be a Chinese Expat
According to the UN Migration Report, there are 11 million Chinese people living abroad — one of the largest groups of people living outside their home country! That’s good news if you’re interested in connecting with other Chinese expats.
No matter where you are in the world, as a Chinese expat, you will most likely have a mix of experiences — from the excitement and novelty of learning the culture to struggling with the inevitable culture shock, with or without a language barrier. This is why you may find it helpful to meet other Chinese expats who can share information with you, like where you can celebrate Chinese New Year — or at least where you can find authentic Chinese cuisine.
How to Meet Other Chinese Expats Abroad
Meeting other expats really helps with the settling-in process and can make you feel at home in your new destination a whole lot faster. Established in 2007, InterNations has become the largest expat network with more than 4 million members. As a trusted community, InterNations offers a variety of experiences that bring expats together — wherever they are in the world.
A fun and easy way to connect with other Chinese expats abroad is by attending InterNations events! You’ll find a wide range of networking opportunities and activities tailored to your hobbies and interests, available both online and in person. The events have a laid-back vibe where you can exchange tips about expat life in your destination and make new friends.
A Few Facts about Chinese Expats
InterNations conducts an annual survey of expats worldwide called Expat Insider, seeking to answer questions like why they moved abroad, how long they plan to stay, and how happy they are.
Here are some of the things Chinese expats shared about their experiences abroad:
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20% of Chinese expats were sent abroad by their employer, compared with the global average of 10%.
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41% of Chinese expats moved abroad to have more growth & personal development in their careers, compared with the global average of 20%.
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41% of Chinese expats are in senior or specialist job positions, compared to the global average of 30%.
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29% of Chinese expats say they speak the local language fairly well, compared with the global average of 19%.
Find Other Chinese Expats in Your Country
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The Top Communities for Chinese Expats
So, where can you find other Chinese expats when living abroad? InterNations, which has 420 communities in 166 countries, is a good place to start! There are InterNations Communities in almost every major city in the world.
While the top destinations for Chinese expats are North America, Southeast Asia, and Australia, more and more Chinese are choosing to live in European countries. Africa and South America also hold special places in the hearts of Chinese expats. Below are some of the popular destinations.
- Chinese expats in the USA
- Chinese expats in Germany
- Chinese expats in Singapore
- Chinese expats in the United Kingdom
- Chinese expats in Australia
- Chinese expats in France
- Chinese expats in Canada
- Chinese expats in the Netherlands
- Chinese expats in Italy
- Chinese expats in the UAE
- Chinese expats in Japan
- Chinese expats in Italy
- Chinese expats in Spain
Chinese Expat Communities in Africa
The vast African continent has become quite a popular destination in recent years for expats. From Ghana to South Africa, come for the job opportunities and stay for the unique culture and beautiful landscapes.
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Congo
- Congo, DR
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Gambia, the
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Chinese Expat Communities in Asia
Southeast Asia, and of course East Asia, has long been a desirable destination for Chinese expats. With fast-growing economies, affordable living standards, and welcoming communities — not to mention delicious food — there is plenty to entice the Chinese expat.
- Bangladesh
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- The Philippines
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Chinese Expat Communities in Europe
Europe is an exciting destination for Chinese expats, especially for young people who want to take advantage of the free education options and the great work-life balance. Many expats also enjoy the ease of travel within the EU.
Western Europe
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
Eastern Europe
- Albania
- Belarus
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Greece
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Poland
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
Chinese Expat Communities in North America
Though far from China, North America has long been a popular destination for Chinese expats. With education and research options and plenty of well-paid jobs, life in the United States and Canada has a lot to offer.
Chinese Expat Communities in Oceania
With the beautiful beaches, warm weather, and laid-back culture in both Australia and New Zealand, Oceania remains a top destination for those seeking education opportunities and exciting experiences abroad. Plus, the Polynesian Islands are just a hop away!
Chinese Expat Communities in South America
From Caribbean beaches to the Andes Mountains, South America offers exciting possibilities for those interested in living abroad. The fantastic weather, low living costs, and friendly people make many countries in South America worth moving to.
- Li Wang
"At my first InterNations Rome Get-Together I met more expats then expected. InterNations made is so easy to settle in."
- Li Jie
"I use InterNations mainly for business and made great international contacts with InterNations. It is a win win for all of us."
