Chinees

Chinees is the Dutch term used to refer to a person from China or of Chinese descent, and it also functions as an adjective describing things related to China. The standard noun for a person is Chinees (singular) or Chinezen (plural).

Geographically, Chinese communities are established in the Netherlands and Belgium, with concentrations in major cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Antwerp, and Ghent. The Chinese diaspora in Europe includes both long-standing merchant networks and more recent arrivals from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. In the Netherlands, estimates place the population of people of Chinese origin in the tens of thousands.

History and migration: Contact between Dutch and Chinese communities began with the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century, with later waves of migration in the 19th and 20th centuries. Postwar migration, along with refugees, students, and merchants, contributed to growth, followed by later arrivals from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China.

Culture and economy: Chinese communities have contributed to urban economies through restaurants, shops, and services, and have enriched cultural life with associations and festivals, including celebrations of the Chinese New Year. Languages spoken among communities include Mandarin and Cantonese alongside Dutch; bilingual media and education are present in some areas.

Terminology and sensitivity: The term is generally neutral when used descriptively but, as with any ethnonym, sensitivity to context and individual preference matters. People may identify by country of origin, ethnicity, or broader regional labels within the Dutch-speaking world.