ChineseIndonesian

Chinese Indonesians are Indonesians of Chinese ancestry. They form one of the oldest and largest overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. Estimates of their numbers vary, but most sources place the population at about 2 to 3 million, representing around 1 to 2 percent of Indonesia’s total population. They are concentrated in urban areas across the archipelago, with sizable communities in Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Bandung, and Semarang, as well as in areas with long-standing trading ties to China.

Chinese presence in Indonesia dates back centuries, with early traders establishing settlements in port cities. Large-scale migration occurred during the Dutch colonial era, when Chinese migrants supplied labor and contributed to commerce. Ethnic Chinese in Indonesia have included both long-settled Peranakan communities and newer arrivals, leading to a range of cultural practices and languages. The community has faced periods of discrimination and pressure to assimilate, including legal restrictions on language and culture during the Suharto era and outbreaks of violence in 1965–66 and 1998.

Most Chinese Indonesians practice a variety of religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, and Confucianism; a smaller number follow Islam or retain traditional Chinese folk beliefs. Linguistically, Indonesian serves as the common language, while dialects such as Hokkien, Cantonese, and Mandarin are spoken in different communities and in Chinese-language schools. Intermarriage with Indonesians has produced a sizable Peranakan or Indonesian-Chinese identity, while some retain a more assimilationist approach.

Historically, Chinese Indonesians have been prominent in commerce, services, and professional sectors, although access to certain occupations and ownership issues were restricted during various periods. Politically, the community has sought greater protection of minority rights and representation, with reforms since the late 1990s reducing some restrictions and promoting multiculturalism, though discrimination persists in some areas.

Today Chinese Indonesians participate across Indonesian society while maintaining distinct cultural and religious practices. The community has contributed to Indonesian arts, business, and public life, and ongoing efforts aim to further equality and integration.