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. 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 Turkmenistan, but this might change in the years to come.

What Are Their Lives Like?

There are Han Chinese people all over the world. They are famous for owning businesses and working hard. Though there are few Chinese in Turkmenistan, that country exports a great deal of petroleum to the PRC. This gives the PRC much control over the policies of Turkmenistan. The Chinese in Turkmenistan are likely to be involved with the energy industry.

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 Turkmenistan 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 Turkmenistan. Pray for the Chinese in Turkmenistan to begin a Disciple Making Movement that will affect the Muslim Turkmen majority.

Scripture Prayers for the Chinese, general in Turkmenistan.

References

https://eurasianet.org/turkmenistans-mainline-to-china
https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2018-08-31/crisis-turkmenistan-a-test-chinas-policy-region-0