Han Chinese, Mandarin in Ecuador

Introduction / History

The Han Chinese are the largest ethnic group worldwide. They are the majority in China, but there is a Chinese diaspora in most world nations including Ecuador.

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, especially in Southeast Asia. Sometimes they migrated as refugees but they are more likely to settle elsewhere for business purposes.

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, the capital city and power center of China. 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.

A high percentage of Chinese migrants speak Mandarin either as a first or second language. There is a Mandarin Chinese community in Ecuador.

What Are Their Lives Like?

In Ecuador, the Mandarin Chinese commonly run shops and restaurants. The older generation is likely to maintain Mandarin while the younger generation speaks Spanish.

Mandarin-speaking Chinese people have maintained their culture and language to varying degrees. They retain Chinese customs regarding marriage and family. Their children are pushed to do well in school and are given much time to devote to their studies.

The Han Chinese are known for their politeness and will go to great lengths to avoid disputes. However, once a dispute begins it is very difficult to stop because the Chinese place a high value on "saving face." Giving ground in an open dispute would cause them to lose face—something the Mandarin Chinese try to avoid at all costs.

What Are Their Beliefs?

In Ecuador, some of the Chinese are Roman Catholic or Evangelical, but the majority are secularized. There is also a strong Mandarin Chinese church in Ecuador that can potentially disciple thousands.

What Are Their Needs?

Materialism can become an idol. The Mandarin Chinese can easily dedicate their lives to making money and neglect true spirituality. Sometimes their spirituality is connected to a desire for wealth. The Christians among them can offer a biblical perspective if they rise above the temptation of wealth.

Prayer Points

Pray for Mandarin speakers to have the spiritual hunger to seek and find Jesus Christ.
Pray for Mandarin-speaking workers, filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit, to disciple many in the ways of Christ.
Pray for Mandarin speakers to begin a family-based movement to Christ that will bless them abundantly.

Text Source:   Joshua Project