Han Chinese, Mandarin in Kuwait

Introduction / History

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

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 outside China.

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. For that reason, if they are from the PRC, migrants are fluent in Mandarin.

Sometimes they migrated as refugees but 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. One of the nations they have settled in is Kuwait.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Kuwait is a business-oriented country, and so are the Mandarin Chinese immigrants. They work long hours, often in close contact with people from many countries.

There are lots of Chinese restaurants in Kuwait. Some Chinese work at these. Such restaurants are popular with the Arab people around them. Kuwait has poor health care for expats, so the Chinese must navigate this situation.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Mandarin Chinese in Kuwait are secularized, but some have a strong faith in the Lord who can take the gospel to Kuwaiti Muslims.

What Are Their Needs?

Materialism is a harsh taskmaster. Even Christians among the Mandarin Chinese in Kuwait are tempted to devote their lives to making money and neglect their spiritual lives.

Prayer Points

Pray for Mandarin Chinese Christ followers, filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit, to disciple Kuwaiti Muslims in the ways of Christ.
Pray for Chinese Christian believers to fill the bowls of incense with prayer for Muslims in Kuwait.
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