nonChinese

The term non-Chinese is a broad, generic descriptor used in various contexts to denote people, languages, cultures, or other things that are not Chinese. It may refer to individuals who are not of Chinese nationality or ethnicity, or to languages and cultural practices not associated with China. The exact meaning depends on context.

In demographics and social science, non-Chinese can be used to contrast with Chinese or ethnic Chinese (e.g., Han Chinese). In linguistics, non-Chinese languages refer to languages outside the Chinese language family. In international settings, non-Chinese nationals are those who do not hold Chinese citizenship. The term is broad and may obscure differences among diverse groups.

Because it lumps together diverse groups, non-Chinese can be misleading or stigmatizing. Researchers often prefer specific labels such as ethnic groups (e.g., Han, Zhuang) within China, nationalities (e.g., Chinese) or nationality-based categories (e.g., Chinese citizens vs foreigners), or language-based terms (e.g., Mandarin, Cantonese, English). In studies of migration, more precise descriptors (e.g., "foreign nationals," "non-Chinese residents," or "people of non-Chinese descent") are recommended.

Related topics include ethnic groups in China, overseas Chinese, and migration studies.