1. Introduction
The number of black Chinese has been increasing in recent years. Based on a 2009 incident in which a Nigerian citizen and a Chinese national were taken to a police station after a confrontation with an e-bike driver over a fare, the African man "suddenly fell unconscious" at the police station and "died after medical treatment failed". In 2012, a Nigerian citizen and a Chinese citizen were taken to a police station after a confrontation with an e-bike driver over a fare, and the African man "suddenly fell unconscious" at the police station and "died after failing medical treatment". Compare them with black people in Britain, from the aspects of their interests to the country, what kind of impact these black people will have on the country, whether these black people will be discriminated against, what kind of help they will bring to the country, what kind of status and situation they will be in the economic field, and finally, the impact of black people on society in the future.
Because in 2009 and 2012, two groups of cases about black people in Guangzhou made me interested in this aspect. This paper makes a comparison between black people in China and Britain to analyze issues from the perspectives of their status, contributions in both countries, and their acceptance of the habits and rules of life in both countries.
2. The Reason and Influence of Black Flow in the UK and China
2.1. The Reasons
In recent years, there has been a certain amount of black population mobility in China. There are five main ways of its inflow: (1) Study abroad. With the improvement of China's education level and the strengthening of its international influence, it has attracted many African students to study here. After graduation, some of these students will choose to stay in China to develop and become part of the black population inflow. (2) Business factors. Since the 1990s, trade between China and Africa has increased. Coastal cities such as Guangzhou have become an important gathering place for African businessmen who come to China to buy goods and sell them back home to earn the difference. With the development of commercial activities, more and more African businessmen and their families came to China, forming a certain scale of black communities. (3) Job opportunities. Multinationals recruit foreign workers, including blacks, when they do business in China. Like foreign-funded enterprises, international hotels, foreign language training institutions, etc. (4) Marital relationship. The increase in international exchanges has led to an increase in interracial marriages, and some black people stay in China after marrying Chinese people and obtain residency rights in China through marriage. (5) Illegal immigrants (small number). Although a very small number of black people have entered China through illegal channels such as smuggling, the Chinese government has been strengthening control and cracking down.
About 3.95% of the British population is black. As a multicultural and historical European country, the existence of the black population in Britain has a complex historical and social background. (1) Historical factors. The British colonial expansion and the slave trade made African blacks enter the United Kingdom. The early black people in Britain were mostly at the bottom of society and engaged in some relatively hard manual labor. (2) Modern social factors. British universities have attracted many black African students to study abroad, and some of them may stay in the UK to work and live after graduation; the British job market also attracts some black immigrants. (3) Social integration. Although the UK is a multicultural country, black people in the UK also face some problems of social integration, such as racial discrimination. However, with the development of society, Britain has also made a lot of efforts in promoting racial equality and multicultural integration.
2.2. The Influence of Black People in Britain and China
The black community in the UK suffers from structural, and systemic racial discrimination. The blacks are generally treated more harshly by the justice system, being twice as likely to be murdered as whites, and three times as likely to be prosecuted and tried. These figures reflect the inequality and discrimination faced by black people in British society [1]. Ethnic minorities in the UK, especially African Americans, face greater socio-economic inequality. During the COVID-19 epidemic, the unemployment rate of young people of African descent climbed to 35%, far higher than 13% of white people of the same age. African Americans can feel the long-standing racial hierarchy in public institutions, private sectors, and society in the UK. African Americans face a greater risk of severe COVID-19 and death in the UK, which is related to their poor socio-economic status and career choices. On the political front, there has been a trend towards diversity in European politics, with black leaders emerging on the political stage. For example, Gething became the first black leader in European politics, which not only broke the record in modern Europe, but also reflected the impact of immigration on the European social structure and the gradual popularization of diverse and inclusive values. Gething's election symbolizes the recognition and acceptance of diversity and inclusiveness in British society, marking the fact that the British government will enter an era without a white male leader.
The influence of black people in China can be analyzed from multiple perspectives, including social security, cultural integration, economic development, international image, and population structure. The following is a detailed discussion on these aspects: (1) Social security: The increase in the number of black people may lead to an increase in crime rates, especially in areas with higher crime rates. Due to the fact that black communities are often on the margins of society, they are easily targeted by criminals. At the same time, the cultural differences and speech barriers between the black and Chinese populations may also increase social contradictions, which will affect the stability of social security. (2) Cultural integration: The increase in the number of black people may lead to more frequent cultural exchanges, which may have an impact on cultural exchange and integration between different ethnic groups. Black people have been enslaved in history and have had a profound impact on the societies and cultures of various countries. This historical background gives black culture a certain uniqueness in China [2]. (3) Economic development: The increase in the number of black people will bring some vitality to China's economy. The increase in the black population will increase the demand in the labor market, thereby promoting economic growth. In addition, black people may also provide more talents and resources for China-Africa cooperation in fields such as trade and investment. International image: The increase in the number of black people may raise questions about China's international image. Some countries and media may consider China's introduction of black people as an abnormal phenomenon, which may affect their views and evaluations of China. (4) Population structure: The increase in the number of black people will have an impact on China's population structure. With the increase of the black population, China's population will become more diverse, which will bring new challenges to the population structure.
3. Contributions to the Development the Two Countries
3.1. Sports
First of all, the sports talent of black people is recognized as excellent in the world; they have certain talent in any sport, such as the 100-meter sprint, which is the most concerned race in track and field. Black people in China, most of the help to sports is basketball, such as Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), Tarek Ganyu is a Chinese professional basketball player, born in Beijing on March 17, 1998. The court boss is the center, and he currently plays for CBA. Beijing Shougang Basketball Club. Markhill is a black foreign player who played in the CBA. He used to play for the Tianjin team and is known for his excellent athletic talent and ball skills.
First, the contribution of black people to sport is reflected in the improvement of the performance of British athletes. For example, Mo Farah, a black athlete from the United Kingdom, who won two gold medals in the men's 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2012 London Olympic Games, demonstrated the superiority of blacks in long-distance running events. In addition, black people also perform well in sprint events, such as the excellent performance of Jamaican athletes in sprint events, which is the contribution of black people to the British sports performance [3].
Second, blacks have also played an important role in pushing for equality in sports. By launching a special edition Black History Month jersey, Nike aims to celebrate and honour the achievements of black athletes in the UK and promote equal treatment in sport. The launch of the jersey marks Nike's long-term commitment to creating change and inspiring the next generation of black athletes in the UK, but also reminds society of the challenges black athletes face, working to break down barriers and provide equal opportunities for all athletes.
Finally, the success of blacks in sports has also inspired more young people to participate in sports. By partnering with pro bono organisations, Nike mentors young people from London to get involved in sport, helping them gain the skills and knowledge to provide access and opportunities for future generations to develop sport. This not only promotes the popularity of sports activities, but also cultivates more sports talents for the society [4].
To sum up, the contributions of black people to sport in the UK and China are not only reflected in improving athlete performance, but also in promoting sports equality and inspiring more people to participate in sports activities, which is of great significance to the development of sport in the UK.
3.2. Social Development
First of all, the help of black students to China's development is mainly reflected in two aspects: cultural exchange and economic development. By providing subsidies in education, training, employment and housing, the Chinese government helps blacks integrate into local society and promotes cultural exchange and economic interaction. For example, the Chinese government has launched the "Beijing spouse" program, which provides a 200,000 yuan subsidy for black people to buy a house in Beijing, aiming to attract foreign talents and promote the development of diverse cultures. In addition, the support of African black brothers for China is also reflected in their recognition and recognition of China's excellent system. This support is partly thanks to China's generous assistance to African black brothers, which includes not only educational assistance, but also material assistance at critical moments, such as helping other countries during the epidemic. These initiatives have enhanced African countries' support and recognition of China [4]. For Britain, the arrival of black students has also boosted cultural exchange and understanding. The arrival of international students not only brings different cultural perspectives to the UK, but also promotes diversity in British society. The cultural exchange these students bring helps to break down racial and cultural barriers and promote mutual understanding and respect. In addition, the contributions of international students in the fields of academia, science, technology and the arts also make positive contributions to the social and economic development of the UK.
4. The Black Man's Position in the Society
Britain's history, particularly its colonial period, has had a profound impact on the black community. British colonial history, especially in Barbados, reveals the exploitation and oppression of black people in the process of accumulating wealth. This historical background has led to deep-rooted prejudice and discrimination against black people in British society. Despite the introduction of a large number of black immigrants to participate in the reconstruction of Britain after World War II, and the passage of the Race Relations Act in 1965, which explicitly outlawed racial discrimination, the social status of blacks in Britain has not been fundamentally improved.
The low level of education is an important factor affecting the social status of blacks. In some higher education institutions in the UK, the proportion of black people is very low, which reflects the difficulty of black people in accessing educational resources. This low level of education directly affects the competitiveness of blacks in the job market, making them often forced to take low-paid and low-status jobs [5]. In the professional field, blacks face serious discrimination and unequal treatment. Even in British companies, only a handful of senior managerial positions are held by black people. Black and ethnic minority people are more likely to work in sectors that are unstable or vulnerable to cuts, research shows. These figures reveal the enormous challenges black people face in the workplace and the difficulties they have in advancing their careers and social status.
In addition, black communities in the UK face inequalities in health and social services. A report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission said racial inequality in British society was worsening and the government should take action to avoid further division of society. This shows that despite legal and institutional efforts, there are still significant challenges to the social status and living standards of black people in the UK [6,7].
To sum up, the status of black people in British society is influenced by many factors, such as history, education, occupation and social service, and faces multiple challenges.
During the Tang Dynasty, black people were known as "kunlun nu" and were mainly used as bodyguards and servants of wealthy families. They were admired by the nobility for their strong physique and gentle disposition. During the Ming Dynasty, the Negroes were chosen by Zheng Chenggong for their combat experience in the Spanish and Portuguese armies and formed the "Negro Foreign Rifle Corps", which left a glorious legacy for the unification of China. With the development of history, the social status of black people has been greatly improved. Many black people choose to study and work in China for a better life, especially in the economically developed cities such as Guangzhou [8].
However, modern black people in China also face some challenges. On the one hand, due to cultural differences and language barriers, the living and working conditions of some black people in China are not ideal. On the other hand, some black illegal immigrants may bring social security problems, such as stealing and cheating. In addition, blacks in China also face restrictions on education and job opportunities, leading to some social problems.
In general, the social status of black people in China has undergone a change from slave to respected, but still faces some challenges in modern society.
5. Conclusion
This paper draws the conclusion that (1) in terms of numbers, although the black population in China is in the hundreds of thousands, it accounts for a very small proportion compared to China's huge population base. The black population in Britain accounts for about 3.95% of its total population, which is significantly different from that in China in terms of number and proportion. (2) The migration of the Chinese black population is more based on modern economic trade, educational exchanges, transnational marriage and other emerging factors. The existence and flow of the black population in the UK are not only the legacy factors of colonial and slave trade in history, but also the influence of modern education, employment and social welfare. (3) In China, black people are mainly concentrated in some coastal developed cities, and generally live in harmony with local residents, and with the increasing inclusiveness of Chinese culture, black people are gradually developing in cultural integration. In the UK, despite efforts in multicultural integration, problems such as racial discrimination still exist, and black people face more challenges in the process of social integration. (4) In China, the black population mainly congregates in cities with frequent foreign economic, trade and cultural exchanges, such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and their distribution is relatively concentrated in specific economically developed areas. As a relatively small country, the black population in Britain is relatively dispersed, but there are also relatively concentrated areas in some big cities such as London. To sum up, there are many differences in the mobility of the black population between China and the UK, which reflect the different historical, social, economic and cultural backgrounds of the two countries.
References
[1]. Shujie Qu. Research on the Development of African American Education. Hebei University Press, 2004.
[2]. Mehsa Baradaran. The Color of Money. Founder Publishing House in China, October 8, 1986.
[3]. Sociologist/psychologist Nathan Hare and English professor Robert Chriman. Voices of Black Scholars: The South African Experience. China Social Sciences Press, 2023.
[4]. W.E.B. Du Bois. The Soul of the Black Man. People's Literature Publishing House, 1903.
[5]. Theoretical Group of the 52977 Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. A Brief History of the Black Liberation Movement in the United States, the People's Publishing House, August, 2000.
[6]. Paul Gilroy. The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness. Shanghai Bookstore Press, June 1993.
[7]. Franz Fanon. "Black Skin, White Mask": New Knowledge from Sanlian Bookstore, Grove Press,June 1, 1967.
[8]. Robert Hams. Land of Tears: The Cruel History of Colonization, Trade, and Globalization in Africa. Guangdong People's Publishing House, 2019.
Cite this article
Shi,G. (2025). Analysis of the Black Population Flow in China and the United Kingdom. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,84,59-64.
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References
[1]. Shujie Qu. Research on the Development of African American Education. Hebei University Press, 2004.
[2]. Mehsa Baradaran. The Color of Money. Founder Publishing House in China, October 8, 1986.
[3]. Sociologist/psychologist Nathan Hare and English professor Robert Chriman. Voices of Black Scholars: The South African Experience. China Social Sciences Press, 2023.
[4]. W.E.B. Du Bois. The Soul of the Black Man. People's Literature Publishing House, 1903.
[5]. Theoretical Group of the 52977 Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. A Brief History of the Black Liberation Movement in the United States, the People's Publishing House, August, 2000.
[6]. Paul Gilroy. The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness. Shanghai Bookstore Press, June 1993.
[7]. Franz Fanon. "Black Skin, White Mask": New Knowledge from Sanlian Bookstore, Grove Press,June 1, 1967.
[8]. Robert Hams. Land of Tears: The Cruel History of Colonization, Trade, and Globalization in Africa. Guangdong People's Publishing House, 2019.