Chinese people in Iran
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 -Western Chinese provinces -Tehran, Isfahan | |
| Languages | |
| Chinese languages | |
| Religion | |
| Dominantley irreligious, some Buddhist, smaller minorities include Islam. | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Overseas Chinese |
Iranian-Chinese are a group of people from either Iran or China who are from either Chinese or Iranian descent. China currently holds a population of 10,000 Iranians or people of Iranian anscestry, whilst Iran holds 2,000 to 3,000 Chinese peoples.[1] Their numbers began to increase noticeably between 2002 and 2005.[2]
In Iran
The Chinese in Iran form one of the smaller groups of overseas Chinese. Most work on construction or other engineering projects; a few run import/export companies or other small businesses. Large-scale investment projects are also becoming more common; businessmen from Zhejiang began building Iran's first Chinese trade complex in 2006. The 330,000 square-metre site in the south of the country, located five kilometres from Khorramshahr and twenty kilometres from the Iraqi border, is expected to contain 1,500 businesses and cost RMB600 million to complete.[1][3]
Chinese people in Iran often have trouble adapting to local life. One People's Daily reporter described Chinese in Iran as having little interest in Iran's culture or history, instead concerning themselves with commercial pursuits; they live in a separate sphere from Iranians. Most cannot speak much Persian. Because the number of Chinese in the country is so small, Chinese people are typically taken to be Koreans or Japanese people instead, unlike in other countries where the opposite mistake is more common. Chinese cuisine is largely unavailable.[2][4] Aside from Chinese people married to Iranians, international students are the group of Chinese in Iran best integrated into mainstream society, in terms of lifestyle and language. Their total number is estimated at roughly 100; unlike other Chinese residents, most live outside of Tehran, because the number of scholarships offered by universities in the capital has been decreasing.[1]
In China
Iranian people began arriving in China in sparse populations during the 1950s, after the diplomatic missionss in both nations were inaugerated. The Iranian populations are extremley sparse throughout the country and do not make many noticeable gatherings or forms of cultural nationalism that makes them stand to other communites. However at the height of their presence, Chinese-Iranians are located mostly in Western province of Xinjiang in cities such as Turfan. They are dominantly involved in most types of business industries; mainly engineering and property.
Nowadays, nearly all of the Chinese-Iranians in China speak only Chinese languages and are not bilingual in Iranian languages and embrace almost fully Chinese cultures. Most people site the substantial differences between the two cultures as the main reason for not keeping their Persian traits. Also another poll in 2009, it was revealed that within the Chinese-Iranian population in China; 56% were irreligious, 39% were buddhist and 5% were muslim.
See also
References
- ^ a b c Liang, Youchang. "伊朗國內局勢穩定 人們不太相信會爆發戰爭 (Iran's domestic situation stable; people don't really think war will break out)". Gansu Daily News. Archived from the original on 2007-07-17. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
{{cite news}}: Text "date-2007-02-08" ignored (help) - ^ a b "伊朗印象 (Impressions of Iran)". China Central Television. 2005-06-08. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
- ^ "浙商投6億在伊朗建"中國商貿城" 同時針對伊拉克 (Zhejiang businessmen spend RMB600 million to build Iranian "Chinese commerce city"; take aim at Iraq at the same time)". Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China. 2006-06-06. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
- ^ Liu, Shouwang (2006-08-07). "伊朗华人过得挺安逸 (Iran's Chinese live quite comfortably)". People's Daily. Retrieved 2007-09-06.