Han Chinese, Mandarin in Indonesia

Introduction / History

Mandarin speakers are among the Han Chinese, the largest ethnic group worldwide. They are the majority in China, but there is a Chinese diaspora in most world nations.

The Han Chinese fled to other countries after the Mongol invasion in 1276. Many other upheavals and conflicts followed, and the Chinese continued to settle in other nations, particularly in Southeast Asia. That includes Indonesia, a country where Mandarin speakers reside.

The Chinese languages are united by a writing system that people who speak any Chinese language can understand. It’s very different with spoken Chinese; few dialects are intelligible to the other. The largest Chinese language is Mandarin.

Mandarin has four subdialects, but these are mutually intelligible. One of the subdialects was from Beijing, China's capital city and power center. It was the language of the educated classes and made the official language during the Qing dynasty in the early 20th century. The Chinese government wasn’t strong enough to enforce it until the 1949 communist revolution. Mao gained far more power than any Chinese leader, and Mandarin became the official language taught in Chinese schools from that time forward. Though the Chinese kept their local dialects, Mandarin became the language of media, education, business and government throughout China.

Sometimes they migrated as refugees but they are more likely to settle elsewhere for business purposes. 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, though they represent only a small percentage of the population.

The Chinese of various languages have been in Indonesia for 800 years. In general, those from the southern parts of China who speak Cantonese, Hainanese, Hakka, etc. came earlier than those who speak Mandarin. They far outnumber Mandarin speakers.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Mandarin Chinese in Indonesia are noted for their businesses, both small and large/international. Their business connections extend throughout all of Southeast Asia and China itself. Guanxi is a Chinese term that describes one’s existence and connection with others. This mindset helps them excel as entrepreneurs.

Mandarin Chinese society in Indonesia is founded on three pillars: clan associations, Chinese-language schools and Chinese media. All three help them maintain their Chinese identity but it also keeps them socially distanced from the Indonesian public.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of Indonesia’s Mandarin speakers are secular in their spiritual beliefs. Almost half of Indonesia’s Mandarin Chinese are Christian. A large number of these are Protestant. They have tremendous potential to reach Indonesian Muslims.

What Are Their Needs?

Ethnic Chinese have much economic clout in Indonesia, and it’s hard for Indonesian businesses to compete with the family-based Chinese ones. For that reason and others, they are resented by the Indonesian majority. Sometimes it turns violent.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord's protection of the ethnic Chinese communities in Indonesia.
Pray for Mandarin Chinese Christ followers, filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit, to disciple Indonesian Muslims in the ways of Christ.
Pray for the Mandarin Chinese to begin a family-based movement to Christ that will bless them abundantly.
Pray for the Mandarin Chinese to have the spiritual hunger to seek and find Jesus Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project