Guangzhou - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Heard it might be hard for anyone with darker skin. - Apr 2023
Gender equality and racism are pervasive problems in Chinese society. Black expats specifically have a harder time here because of rampant racism. - Aug 2021
See above. China is still a male-centric and ageist country. Job listings will normally specify gender and age parameters, and sometimes even marital status. - May 2019
I'm sure there are, but I don't see it. Americans are often in the bubble, interacting mostly with other members of the community, so you don't experience it as much as someone that is out there alone and unafraid. - Nov 2015
Yes, yes and yes. Racial problems are the most obvious- the locals are not fans of Africans and, to a certain extent, Middle Easterners, so people with darker skin can have problems finding cabs, getting good service, etc. Asian-Americans will often be assumed to be Chinese, which can sometimes be advantageous (less staring!) and sometimes exceptionally frustrating. Most of the people I knew at post who encountered these issues learned to roll with the punches. Guangzhou's a relatively cosmopolitan place, so you may not get as much staring and general incredulity at your foreignness there as you will if you venture away from the big cities. Expect people to try to rip you off and charge you more for goods and services because you're foreign- all you can do is try to haggle down and smile, because that's just the way things are here. Religious prejudices are expressed a bit differently, but there are constant tensions between China's Uiyghur population, which is Muslim, and the government. I don't know to what extent that manifests locally, though. If you're Jewish, expect to hear a constant litany about how smart and good with money you must be. The Chinese intend this to be a compliment, but it can be uncomfortable, because most of them don't have much of an understanding of what those stereotypes have met historically. Gender prejudices are usually much less overt, but if you're female and single, you'll get a lot of questions about when you're getting married, why you're not married, etc. - Aug 2014
The Chinese people are extremely racist and will vocalize their prejudices to your face. This is a difficult country for anyone with darker skin. Religion is illegal in China. - May 2013
Chinese are particularly racist to Africans, who often have difficulties getting cabs. They tend to be a bit friendlier to African Americans, but it's a culture that prides itself on white skin to the extend of bleaching it. - Jan 2013
Some of the African-American staff occasionally will get denied entry to some of the clubs. This is general because the local Chinese seem to believe that all of their problems are caused by their African immigrant community. - Oct 2011
Chinese are well-known for being racist, especially towards black people. If you're a black Westerner, that mitigates it somewhat, but they seem to really dislike Africans. - May 2011
From experience, if you are not racially Chinese, you will be stared at, followed, talked to, and have people taking your picture while you shop, ride in a taxi, etc. If you are not Caucasian, the Chinese will have difficulty in accepting that you are an American. If you are of Asian descent, the Chinese will expect you to speak fluent Chinese. - Jul 2009
Very few. The people who may have the toughest time are Asian-Americans as the expectations are much higher. Non-asians get all the credit in the world for being able to say a few words in Chinese, but if you're ethnically Chinese and don't speak fluently people will look down on you. African-Americans may also have some minor issues, but nothing to worry about. - Jan 2009
