Introduction / History

The Han Chinese are the largest ethnic group in the world, numbering more than 1.3 billion. Although the vast majority live in mainland China, many have immigrated to other countries, and today they reside in nearly every nation of the world. Most Han Chinese speak one of the many Chinese dialects, which include Mandarin, Cantonese, and Hokkien. The speakers of one Chinese dialect cannot understand the speakers of another. The Han Chinese began fleeing to other countries in 1276, after the Mongol invasion. Many other upheavals and conflicts followed, and the Chinese continued to settle in other nations. Wherever they went, the Chinese settled almost exclusively in urban areas and became involved in business and commerce. Today, they are very influential in the economies of many of these nations, including Turkmenistan. There are very few Han Chinese people in Tajikistan, but this might change in the years to come.

What Are Their Lives Like?

There are very few Chinese in Tajikistan, but that number is increasing as China now has a military base in that country that was once controlled by Russia.

In the last couple of decades, thousands of construction workers, engineers, doctors, cooks and petroleum engineers have migrated from China to Angola.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Chinese are notoriously pragmatic when it comes to spiritual matters. They worship ancestral spirits in hopes of being blessed economically and to have good luck. These beliefs mix with a complex blend of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. There are some believers among the Chinese in Tajikistan who might be able to share Jesus with them.

What Are Their Needs?

The Chinese in Turkmenistan need a spiritual life that is based on guidance and love. They will not find this in their traditional religion.

Prayer Points

Pray for spiritual hunger and discernment among the Chinese people who often view the spiritual realm as merely a means to an end. Pray that Chinese believers will spend as many years as it takes to establish a church planting movement among the Chinese in Tajikistan. Pray for the Chinese in Tajikistan to begin a Disciple Making Movement that will affect the Muslim Tajik majority.

Scripture Prayers for the Chinese, general in Tajikistan.

References

https://eurasianet.org/tajikistan-secret-chinese-base-becomes-slightly-less-secret