There are currently approximately 8,000 Chinese resident in Northern Ireland.  The following details some background on this Community and the problems experienced by many within the community in Northern Ireland.

The history of the Chinese Community in Northern Ireland traces its roots to the early 1960s, when the first Chinese arrived here. Since this period their numbers have evolved progressively. Currently there are around 8000 Chinese resident in Northern Ireland, representing 51% of the total ethnic minority population. The Chinese community is currently the largest and most dispersed ethnic minority group living in the North. The majority of this community live in the Greater Belfast Urban Area, there are also significant numbers in Craigavon, Lisburn, Newtownabbey and North Down. Irwin and Dunn, noted in their study of ethnic minorities, that the Chinese community is growing at a faster rate than the general population.

A high proportion of the Chinese resident here, were born outside Northern Ireland, with seven out of ten of those having been born in Hong Kong. Other places of origin include China, Malaysia and Singapore. Entering for the purposes of employment is by far the most common reasons for moving to Northern Ireland; followed by requests for study visas and as spouses of British citizens. The CWA has also witnessed recently an increase in applications for political asylum from people fleeing The People's Republic of China.

Most, although not all, of the Chinese residents here are concentrated in the catering industry. The long demanding and unsociable hours associated with this industry has compounded the problem of isolation experienced by many in the Chinese Community.