Ethnic Chinese in Brunei



Ethnic Chinese in Brunei are people of full or partial Chinese – particularly Han Chinese – ancestry who are citizens or residents in Brunei. As of 2015, they constitute 10.1% of the country's population, making them the second largest ethnic group in Brunei. Brunei is home to one of the smaller communities of overseas Chinese. Many Chinese in Brunei are stateless.

Ethnic Chinese in Brunei were encouraged to settle because of their commercial and business acumen. The biggest Chinese group is the Hokkien; many originated from Kinmen and Xiamen in China. The Hakka and Cantonese represent a minority of the Chinese population. Despite their small numbers, the Hokkien have a considerable presence in Brunei's private and business sector, providing commercial and entrepreneurial expertise and often operating joint business ventures with Malaysian Chinese enterprises.

History
During the Song dynasty (960 AD to 1296 AD) trade was active between Poni (Brunei) and China. By the 17th century, Brunei had a Chinese community. However, trade declined in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was not until Brunei became a British protectorate that immigration increased again. Most of the immigrants arrived from Sarawak, Singapore and Hong Kong. In 1904, there were about 500 ethnic Chinese in Brunei, most of them British subjects. The discovery of oil in 1929 led to an increase in Chinese immigrants as many sought out the new employment opportunities related to this discovery of oil. The Chinese population continued to increase significantly during 1931–1947 when it quadrupled. In 1960, Ethnic Chinese made up slightly more than a quarter of the Bruneian population at 26%. The Chinese population of Brunei has declined significantly since then. Still, the Chinese population comprises 10.3% of the Bruneian population as of 2019, which places them as the second largest ethnic group in Brunei.

Statelessness
As of 1986, it was estimated that over 90% were unable to obtain Bruneian citizenship, despite generations of residence in the country. In recent years, ethnic Chinese in Brunei are allowed to obtain Bruneian Citizenship, however many encounter significant issues overcoming the Malay language exam which is a major requirement for gaining Bruneian citizenship. An overhaul of the Nationality Act has been blocked by the Home Ministry.

Religion
Around 65% of the Chinese population in Brunei practices Buddhism and Taoism. An additional 20% practices Christianity. There are smaller numbers of Muslims, practitioners of other religions, and Irreligious individuals among the Chinese community in Brunei numbering a combined 15%.

Notable people

 * Ong Sum Ping married Princess Ratna Dewi, the daughter of Sultan Muhammad Shah of Brunei. He was conferred the nobility title of Pengiran Maharaja Lela and elected Chief of Kinabatangan in the 14th century.
 * Ong Boon Pang, nobleman
 * Ong Tiong Oh, member of the Legislative Council of Brunei
 * Onn Siew Siong, nobleman
 * Roderick Yong Yin Fatt, former Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
 * Goh King Chin, former member of the Legislative Council of Brunei.
 * Goh Kiat Chun (Wu Chun), actor and singer.
 * Hong Kok Tin, former member of the Legislative Council of Brunei.
 * Lim Jock Hoi, 14th Secretary General of ASEAN.
 * Lim Jock Seng, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II and Minister at the Prime Minister's Office.
 * Lim Teck Hoo, nobleman and businessperson
 * Lim Thian Hoo, nobleman
 * Lim Cheng Choo, nobleman and politician
 * Lim See King, nobleman
 * Lau Ah Kok, nobleman and owner of Hua Ho.
 * Lau How Teck, businessman
 * Khoo Ban Hock, former nobleman and chairman of National Bank of Brunei
 * Ng Teck Hock, nobleman
 * Pang Boon Ting, nobleman
 * Jaspar Yu Woon Chai, badminton player, Bruneian representative at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
 * Amin Liew Abdullah, Minister of Finance and Economy II and Minister at the Prime Minister's Office.
 * Cornelius Sim, first Roman Catholic Vicar Apostolic of Brunei and first Cardinal of Brunei and Borneo.
 * Cheok Boon Cheok, nobleman
 * Steven Chong Wan Oon, current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Brunei.
 * Andrew Shie, first Bruneian elevated as Assistant Bishop in the Anglican Diocese of Kuching (Sarawak and Brunei).
 * Queenie Chong, businessperson and politician
 * Tan Bee Yong, civil servant and diplomat
 * Magdalene Teo, diplomat
 * Aziyan Abdullah, diplomat
 * Hosea Wong, martial artist