FREMANTLE MULTICULTURAL CENTRE INC.

241 243 High Street, Fremantle WA 6160

Tel: (08) 9336 8282 Fax: (08) 9430 6352

Cultural Briefing on the Chinese Community

Population

The population of China is 1,330,044,605 (as of mid-2008). There are approximately 315,361 Chinese
residents in Australia. In Western Australia there are 55,908 people of Chinese ancestry.

Chinese people came to Australia in four periodic waves:

1850s (gold rush),

before 1949 (rise of Communism),
1980s (open emigration policy),
Tiananmen Square Demonstrations (student uprising) in 1989.

Language / Communication

All the languages listed below are spoken in China, as well as in other countries, such as;
The official language in China is Mandarin (also found in Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore)
Cantonese (Guandong Province, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Christmas Island)
Hakka (Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei)
Hokkien (Malaysia and Singapore)
Teo Chew (Thailand)
Wu (Shanghai China)
A significant proportion of Chinese people in Western Australia speak Cantonese.

Interpreters

Some Chinese people are not fluent in the English language, especially the elderly. In that case, the
use of an Interpreter should be considered.
Ascertain both language and dialect when considering an interpreter - preference for the same gender.

Religion and Philosophical systems

Buddhism is the primary religion in China. Most Chinese people practice one of the many branches of
Mahayana Buddhism
Confucianism and Taoism (pronounced Daoism) are the primary Philosophical influences they teach
the proper relationship of people to one another and people to nature. They all effect the health/illness
experience and health decision making
Ancestor Worship; Folk practices; Islam (Hui); and Christianity.
The values of harmony, self discipline, internal peace and external harmony are practised in daily life.
There is a strong belief in the dynamic and complementary forces of Ying and Yang. One cannot
exist without the other.

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 FREMANTLE MULTICULTURAL CENTRE INC.
241 243 High Street, Fremantle WA 6160
Tel: (08) 9336 8282 Fax: (08) 9430 6352

Customs

Traditionally patriarchal (under challenge within culture)

Traditionally families are large and often extended families live together or near each other.
However the trend now is for smaller families.
Touching another persons head, including children, is considered an insult
Pointing feet (least important part of the body) at someone is considered an insult
Few women work outside the home, but a growing number are part of the workforce.

Gestures

Always stand up when being introduced and remain standing throughout the introductions.
When being introduced to a Chinese person, the accepted form of greeting is the handshake. A nod or
a slight bow is also used, as a sign of respect for elders.
Chinese people do not like to be touched, particularly by strangers. Do not hug, back slap or put an
arm around someone's shoulder.
Chinese people always offer food or tea to the guests before they serve themselves.

Values

The focus on life is the family - to marry and have children. Divorce is discouraged.
Achievement or shame on the family can be affected by the actions of any individual family member
Men are generally considered to be the head of the family.
Traditional marriages are still arranged by parents, often with the consent of the bride and
groom. Arranged marriages are still common in rural areas.
A dowry (money, jewelry, gifts, etc) is given to the bride by the groom's parents.
Individual and family pride is highly valued - need to avoid loss of face.

Diet

Food is the most popular acknowledgement amongst members of the Chinese society. The familiar
greeting among Chinese people is, "have you eaten yet," instead of the greeting of how are you?
Rice is China's staple food. Rice may be served with any meal, and is eaten several times a day.
Scallions, bean sprouts, cabbage, and gingerroot are other traditional foods. Soybean curd, called
tofu, is an important source of protein.
Tea, the beverage offered at most meals, is a common Chinese beverage. The most popular types of
tea are; green, black, and oolong. They are commonly drunk plain, without milk or sugar added.
Teacups have no handles or saucers.

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 FREMANTLE MULTICULTURAL CENTRE INC.
241 243 High Street, Fremantle WA 6160
Tel: (08) 9336 8282 Fax: (08) 9430 6352

Eating

Chinese people dont like to eat in the darkness or under dim light.
An individual place setting for Chinese includes a bowl of rice, a pair of chopsticks, a flat-bottomed
soupspoon, and a saucer.
Meal times are a time for family members to converse. The dining table is a place for discussing
business, education and other interesting and important topics. Discussing gloomy matters such as
death, accidents and other misfortunes is regarded as bad table manners.
Use both hands to hold your glass when giving and receiving toasts.

Dress

Red is an auspicious colour for the Chinese. Traditionally, people wear red during the festive
celebrations and at weddings.
Chinese wear white or black to a funeral.
The traditional Chinese dress is called a Qi Pao or CheongSam. The cheongsam can either be
long or short, unlined or interlined, woolen or made of silk floss.
Men also wear a cheongsam with trousers.

Attitudes to health and aged care services

Health is maintained through the balance of the energy forces Yin and Yang (positive and negative
or female and male).
Illness is caused by imbalance of the Yin and Yang or spiritual belief. Food, illness and medication
are classified as hot or cold. Cold conditions are treated with hot medications and vice versa
Food, herbal medicine, Acupressure and Acupuncture are used to prevent and cure diseases, build up
health, and prolong life.
Chinese people may use a combination of traditional and biomedical practices
A general lack of knowledge and understanding of the mainstream aged care services in Australia.
Lack of English language proficiency is the main barrier.
There is a general reluctance to use outside services for the care of the elderly, as the values and
perceptions of many Chinese people differ from the Australian Anglo-Saxon culture.

Attitudes towards older people and those with a disability

Respect for older persons is greatly valued. Children are expected to support and care for their
parents and or grandparents.
Generally, Chinese people prefer to live with the whole family, children, parents and grandparents.
However this is breaking down somewhat. In Australia, some parents now live alone and do not see
their children on a regular basis, due to them working.
Disability or mental illness is interpreted as a disgrace or shame on the family. It is generally viewed
as punishment brought onto the disabled person, due to some wrongdoing committed by the person or
other family members in their past life.

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 FREMANTLE MULTICULTURAL CENTRE INC.
241 243 High Street, Fremantle WA 6160
Tel: (08) 9336 8282 Fax: (08) 9430 6352

Festivals

Chinese New Year (Spring Festival - Febraury).

Qing Ming visiting ancestors in cemetery (April).
Mid-Autumn Duan Wu Festival (Dragon Boat - May).

Strategies for working with Chinese families and the community

Know the demographic profile of CALD persons in your region (LGA).

Develop rapport and trust with Chinese clubs, language schools and Seniors groups.
Provide community education sessions, using professional interpreters and translated materials.
Promote mainstream aged care services through Chinese newspapers and Chinese radio programs.
Consult with local Chinese groups or services to identify cultural issues to be aware of.
Provide aged care service staff with cultural awareness training, using Chinese guest speakers.
Use Chinese bilingual aged care workers in the workplace.

Additional Resources

Chung Wah Community Aged Care Service, Tel. (08) 9328-3988 Email. chungwahsweet@iinet.net.au
Translating and Interpreting Service: 131 450
Migrant Resource Centres in WA:
1) Fremantle Multicultural Centre Tel. (08) 9336 8282 Email. reception@fmcwa.com.au
2) Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre - Tel. (08) 9345-5755 Email. admin@mmrcwa.org.au
3) Multicultural Social Services Centre of WA Tel. (08) 9328-2699 Email. mscwa@mscwa.com.au

ILC Multicultural Aged Care ServiceTel. (08) 9381 0660, Email. ilcmacs@ilc.com.au Web:
http://www.ilc.com.au

Sources:

(1) Ms Elvie Yap Coordinator, Chung Wah Community and Aged Care Service.
(2) NSW Health. www.diversityinhealth.com/regions
(3) Cultural Dictionary 2003 Migrant Resource Centre of Canberra & Queanbeyan
(4) Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006 Census.

2009 Copyright Fremantle Multicultural Centre Inc (Prepared by George Vassiley - Community Partners Program)