British Chinese Heritage Project
Chinese lives in Birmingham
MAY 2014
伯 明 翰
伯明翰華人社區中心 CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTRE - BIRMINGHAM
Designed & printed by 16printing ltd. @2014. tel: 0121 236 8980
Foreword
The ‘British Chinese Heritage Project | Chinese Lives in Birmingham” was created to capture the hidden histories of Birmingham’s Chinese community. The historical project looks at the lives of individual migrants and British Chinese, as well as the development of the Chinese community within Birmingham – an integral part of the city’s history over the last half-century. The project was awarded a grant of £35,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in April 2013 and is expected to be completed by June 2014. For more information on the project, please visit our blog at: http://chineselivesinbirmingham.com/
Anna Yim - CEO
Chinese Community Centre- Birmingham If your organisation is interested in displaying the project exhibition, please contact Chinese Community Centre-Birmingham on 0121 685 8510 or email chinatownmemories@ccc-b.org.uk
Disclaimer: Please note the information contained is brochure is an accumulation of research, memories and opinions. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the factual accuracy of the contents, no liability can be accepted for any use of the information within and/or links. Copyright © 2014 Chinese Community Centre- Birmingham. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials on these pages are copyrighted by the Chinese Community CentreBirmingham. All rights reserved. No part of these pages, either text or image may be used for any purpose other than personal use. Therefore, reproduction, modification, storage in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise, for reasons other than personal use, is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. 1
Introduction The idea behind the project began with a humble reminiscence session with the elderly people who attend the Chinese Community Centre-Birmingham (CCC-B) luncheon club. Inspired by their tales and memories of the past long ago, we discovered that apart from Terry Lo’s 1993 photographic project “From Cathay to Pershore Street”, there had been no other substantive study carried out into Birmingham’s Chinese community within the last 30 years. This meant that there was a gap in information and in understanding about the first two generations of Birmingham Chinese. And perhaps, more importantly, sharing this knowledge with the wider Birmingham community and future generations. According to City Council reports, Chinese people tend to be classified by birth country and ethnicity; whilst interesting, it tells us little about their needs. The project, “From Cathay to Pershore Street” had a strong focus on the Cantonese and Hakka speakers who laid down the roots of the community during the 1950’s with an impressive establishment of restaurants and takeaways. However, during the last 15 years, Birmingham has seen a sharp rise in the number of Mandarin speakers from Mainland China. Figures from the Census between 1971 - 19911 showed that the Hong Kong-born Chinese population in Birmingham outnumbered Mainland Chinese by almost 3 to 1. By 2001, the numbers had almost equalised and by 2011, not only had the numbers increased exponentially, they had also reversed with Mainland Chinese now outnumbering Hong Kong Chinese by the same factor.2 And as international education grew in popularity, many of the Mainlanders have been part of the transient student population. As the Chinese community profile face these complex changes, CCC-B decided to undertake a project that would capture individual migration stories, as well as promote better understanding between generations. Furthermore, it will also highlight the economic and cultural contribution the community has made to the city. The study set out to record the reasons for migration, people’s experiences of making a new life in a foreign country, whether migrants achieved their aims and how new migrants should prepare before arriving to start a new life in Birmingham. It also intended to find out more about the experiences of growing up in Birmingham for British-born Chinese, as well as their views on cultural identity and belonging. Naturally, this linked to the values and practices that were regarded as important to the Chinese community and whether these had carried into the next generation. This booklet accompanies the exhibition and blog which were created to showcase the results of the project. 2
1 Office for National Statistics, Census 1911 – 2001 2 Office for National Statistics, Census 2011
The Chinese community in Birmingham: Migration Drivers Despite only being a handful of individuals, the Census shows that Chinese people began living in Birmingham as early as 1911. There is documented evidence of Chinese laundries operating in Birmingham in the early 20th century, up to the 1940’s 3 but these began to disappear as domestic washing machines became more widespread. The Chinese population did not settle in Birmingham in significant numbers until the 1960’s - the 1961 Census figure was fewer than 1000.4 But, as numbers increased, which countries did people come from and why? The interviewees for our study came from former British colonies such as Hong Kong and Malaysia, as well as other East Asian countries of China, Vietnam and Taiwan. What made people decide to leave these countries to settle in a distant, foreign land?
Hong Kong
Birmingham’s established Chinese community are predominantly Hong Kong Cantonese and Hakka speakers. Although many had lived in other parts of the UK prior to settling in the city, they started to arrive and settle to call Birmingham home in the 1950’s.
Hong Kong is a region comprised of the southern tip of China and a small group of islands, situated on China’s south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea. Hong Kong’s Cantonese-speaking majority originate mainly from the neighbouring Canton (now Guangdong) province and is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. A number of political, economic and industrial factors in mainland China and Hong Kong during the 1950’s and 60’s caused major social upheaval. Overcrowding due to Mainlanders crossing the border into Hong Kong led to widescale street homelessness, unemployment, poverty and starvation. People began to leave Hong Kong for Britain in search of work and better prospects for their families. The UK was a popular country of choice, as Hong Kong was still a British Dependent Territory at this time and potential migrants obtained work vouchers which entitled them to seek jobs in England. A further wave of Hong Kong Chinese left for England and other countries in the early 1990’s, fearful of the future when the territory was handed back to China in 1997, upon expiry of the 99 year lease. During the 1950’s and 60’s, the Chinese migrants in Birmingham opened restaurants as it was often difficult to find jobs in the sectors in which they had been previously employed, back in Hong Kong. 3 Kelly’s Trade Directories 1908 - 1945 4 Office for National Statistics, Census 1911 – 2001
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Competition led to some families moving out of the city centre and opening takeaways in the suburbs and more rural areas, where they often lived directly above the shops to save on costs and keep property secure. According to Baxter , the costs of running a takeaway were 2/3 less than running a restaurant, mainly 5 due to the employment of unpaid family labour. The takeaway industry led to the Chinese community becoming widely dispersed across the city and the surrounding counties (ie; Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire).
Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia shares a land border with Thailand and maritime borders with Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. East Malaysia shares land and maritime borders with both Brunei and Indonesia and a maritime border with the Philippines. Like Hong Kong, Malaysia has a colonial link with the UK. For many Malaysian-Chinese, English is their first language - even though traditional cultural practices are still widely observed. The ethnic Chinese in Malaysia occupy the middle class, and Higher Education in England is a common route for many 18 year olds. Within the study, the Chinese-Malaysian participants had followed this well-trodden route; most are qualified professionals, running their own businesses.
Vietnam
The country is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest and the South China Sea to the east. Although Vietnam had experienced over two decades of civil war during the 1950’s – 1970’s, the people that were interviewed for this project were refugees from the later conflict that began in 1979 - when Vietnam invaded Cambodia, an act that triggered a border war with China.6 Ethnic Chinese were forced to leave Vietnam, even if they had been born there and had no ties with any other country. Many fled for Hong Kong in boats, hence the tag “Boat People”. So, whilst some of the interviewees may have come to the UK directly from Hong Kong, the territory was just a stop en-route to permanent resettlement elsewhere. The majority of the Vietnamese-Chinese interviewees were elderly people who had already reached retirement when they came to the UK - a notable exception was an individual who was a young child of 6 when her family were forced to flee. 4
5 Research commissioned by Birmingham City Council Race Relations & Equal Opportunities Unit 1986 6 BBC website, Vietnam Profile, 2013
Although there are Chinese asylum seekers and refugees from the Mainland living in Birmingham, all the refugees interviewed were Vietnamese-Chinese.
China China is the world’s second-largest country by land area - its coastline is along the Pacific Ocean and is bounded by the Bohai, Yellow, East and South China Seas. It is the world’s most populous country, with a population of over 1.35 billion. In 1978, China adopted a policy of openness designed to complement the programme of industrial, agricultural, technological and defence modernisation (The Four Modernisations)7. From having been an extremely closed country for centuries, Mainland Chinese people were suddenly given (relative) new freedoms to travel. It has been noted that in increasing numbers, those who travelled to the UK to study are subsequently deciding to settle. These numbers have been further boosted by individuals who come to join spouses already working here. The participants interviewed who had migrated directly from China are mostly academics and administrators.
Taiwan Taiwan island borders with mainland China to the west, Japan to the east and northeast, and the Philippines to the south. Since the 1960’s, Taiwan and the UK have set up protocols to promote educational and cultural relations between the two countries. In more recent years, scientific and technological exchanges have taken place.8 The study’s Taiwanese participant came to the UK to study for a Masters degree in social work after serving 4½ years National Service in the Taiwanese Army. Leaving the home country is only the first step in the migration journey; entering and settling in the destination country brings an additional set of issues. Changes to UK immigration law and the work permit system from the early part of the twentieth century to the present day have enabled or hindered entry at different times. 7 ‘China Without Mao’ by Immanuel C-Y Hsu 1983 8 Taiwan-UK Relations, 2013
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The Chinese population initially settled in Sparkbrook, the gateway to the city for many immigrant communities in Birmingham- a 1986 Council study 9 found houses with as many as five Chinese families living in them. This study suggested that many of these dwellings were in Braithwaite Road which was consequently nicknamed ‘Chinese Street’ – Tang Yahn Gaai (唐人街). This was the catalyst to the funding of the Chinese Community Centre which provided the advice and advocacy services required to help these non-English speaking newcomers to access help regarding housing and other public agencies. Some of the first recorded 10 Chinese-owned businesses in Birmingham were laundries: • • • • • • • • • •
1908 1910 1921 1930 1935 1940
Lee Joe at 189 Mary Street, Balsall Heath Sing Hing Lee at 5 Stoney Lane, Sparkbrook Lee Wing at 505 Stratford Road, Sparkhill Lee Sing at 307 Wheeler Street, Lozells Lee Sing at 307 Wheeler Street Lee Wing at 56 Showell Green Lane, Sparkhill Wing Harry at 244 Sherlock Street, Highgate Lee Sing at 307 Wheeler Street Lee Wing at 56 Showell Green Lane Lung A at 50 Showell Green Lane
[Kelly’s Trade Directories 1908 - 1940] Most of these businesses were operating in the suburbs close to Birmingham city centre. For reasons unknown, no Chinese laundries are recorded from 1945 onwards and no other Chinese-run businesses are documented until the restaurants started to open in the 1950s. Unlike the laundries, the early restaurants were all located within the city centre, concentrated in what is now the B5 postcode area. The proliferation of restaurants and trade suppliers in Digbeth and Deritend11 meant that Chinatown naturally evolved in that area. In 1983, the area was given a boost when a Chinese business partnership put forward a plan to regenerate the zone along Ladywell Walk. Although Chinatown was not a residential area in the 1980’s, a range of shops and businesses sprang up targeting the Chinese community. Additionally, film clubs, casinos, betting shops and Chinese churches opened, catering for the community’s social needs. The settled Birmingham Chinese community is dispersed right across the city, although there are concentrations in Quinton, Ladywood, Edgbaston, Selly Oak, Handsworth and Lozells.12 The Chinese community in the surrounding counties such as; Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire - all travel to Birmingham Chinatown as well. 9 Sparkbrook/Sparkhill Inner Area Study 1985/86 10 Kelly’s Trade Directories 1908 - 1940 6 11 A crossing point of the River Rea, first mentioned in 1276 12 Birmingham City Council: Local Area Profiles
Topics The study had a total of 36 interviewees representing the following groups: • • • •
Settled migrants from Hong Kong and China who had migrated before 1990 Settled migrants from Hong Kong and China who had migrated after 1990 Ethnic Chinese who had migrated and settled from other East Asian countries ‘British Born Chinese’ (BBCs)
The four target groups fell into two broad categories: Settled Migrants and British Born Chinese (BBCs). However, it was found that two of participants who had migrated as children shared more characteristics with the 11 BBCs , than adult migrants who often struggled to settle. Additionally, since the central theme was migration, the original question set started at the point of interviewees leaving their ‘mother countries’. It became clear that the study was cutting out whole chapters in people’s lives, which often link directly with migration drivers. The question set was consequently amended and included a preliminary question about life before arriving in the UK. This made the interviews richer in content and longer in duration. As part of the IRiS Practitioner Research training, the study was advised to produce Topic Guides. These are question sets which were designed to assist the interviewer in focussing on the research topics. At the completion of interviewing participants, it was found that reasons for migration cut across the target groups. Participants have been classified according to reasons for migration (rather than country of origin or period of migration) as follows:
•
Economic migrants
•
Refugees
•
Students & Education
•
Family & Spouse reunions
•
“British Born Chinese”’
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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: ‘British Born Chinese’ Focus Group Within the British Born Chinese (BBCs) focus group, the study wanted to find out their attitudes towards three key issues that were identified as significant to Chinese people as well as their experiences and views on their ethnic and cultural identity. The study required participants to be BBC, born in or with strong links to Birmingham, and under 30 years old. Out of the seven focus group participants, two were in their early 30’s, the other five were aged between 18 – 30 years old. One was born in Hong Kong -although had come to the West Midlands as a young child and now works in Birmingham. The issues discussed in the interviews included: • Family / Respect for the Elderly • Education & qualifications • Hard work As with the interviews, the focus group discussions were also audio-recorded, for archiving.
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COMMON THEMES Whilst 29 individual stories and a focus group of seven can never be regarded as representative of a community, some common themes emerged which were made even more interesting when incorporating the perspectives gained from different generations.
- Long history of involuntary migration
It transpired that five participants’ parents or grandparents had originally left China due to war - dating back to the 1930’s. They had settled in other East Asian countries prior to the UK, so there were already many families with a history of displacement going back decades.
- Leaving the Mother Country
Participants described apprehension mixed with excitement when recalling their feelings about leaving their home countries, the balance depending upon whether they were compelled to leave or migrating from choice. However, with one exception, nobody expressed regret about leaving and only one expressed a strong desire to return home.
- First Impressions
Cold, wet English weather was something that was consistently mentioned- and contrasted sharply with their ‘mother countries’. One participant had had winter clothes made by a tailor in Hong Kong but when she arrived in the UK, she realised it was more like ski gear than winter clothing for everyday wear. Another abiding memory was the sight of White (English) people doing manual labour, something the participant had never seen before. First impressions of Birmingham were mixed: some thought it looked clean, new, modern and vibrant; others remembered it to be as dirty and old – possibly reflecting the period in which they had arrived. One was comforted by the fact that Birmingham reminded him of Hong Kong ‘with lots of buildings that were not too tall’, while another was disappointed because it resembled the territory: ‘no nice buildings’. 9
- Why choose Birmingham? In the case of 5 out of 6 economic migrant participants, London and other parts of the West Midlands had been the first ports of call- Birmingham was not the first choice destination. Only one who had come to study had attended a Birmingham educational institution. Circumstances dictate that spouses end up wherever the husband or wife lives – in this case, Birmingham. Similarly, 83% of the refugees had little real choice about which place they were given for resettlement. The fact that they did all eventually settle in Birmingham when they did have real choice says much for the second city. Birmingham was seen as a place of opportunity, as well as a nice size –‘not too big, not too small’– and affordable. The Chinese supermarkets were a draw for those who wanted to preserve traditional and cultural ties, such as buying groceries and products to make authentic Chinese cuisine – “not like the takeaways”.
- Establishing a new life
Although participants had looked forward to making a new life in a different country - albeit with trepidation in some cases - it seemed that many were not prepared for the extent to which lack of English would hamper their attempts at settling. One third of the participants had no English or such limited levels that employment opportunities were severely restricted.
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A significant number of participants had worked in or ran restaurants where owners often had to help with welfare and social needs, or signpost to community groups that can provide support. In particular, accommodation provided for staff by restaurant owners was mentioned in a number of interviews. This is still common practice, and is considered by owners as a staff benefit. However, some of the participants described a situation where all their time was spent working and socialising with colleagues, limiting their chance to integrate with the mainstream community and to learn English.
Some participants came to Birmingham because they had family or close connections here in the West Midlands. Networks have played a very important role in their lives, especially in setting up their own businesses. There was mixed experience with external support, with most participants borrowing money from family. Of the two participants who obtained outside help, one secured a bank loan but no business support, while conversely the other had help from the local Chamber of Commerce, but no commercial loans.
- Feeling settled
Among the factors that helped people feel settled were: getting a job, getting a house and having children born in the UK. One identified the moment when he could cope with not eating rice every day as being the point when he felt settled‌ after 10 years of living in the UK! One said quite simply “I carry my heart with me; home is where my heart is.â€? On a wider level, many of the participants described the UK as peaceful and expressed gratitude to the British government for providing refuge and support.
- Values & Practices
33% of all participants said respect for the elderly was the value they most want British Chinese children to retain. This was closely followed by discipline and work ethic. Hard work was synonymous to some extent with long hours. One participant had sold his restaurant in order to spend time with his young children; once they had grown up, he had returned to the catering trade and bought a takeaway. Another had made a conscious decision not to have children as his own experience as the son of restaurant owners had shown him that the long hours were incompatible with family life. Another interviewee commented that the takeaway life meant he had no strong friendships at school, and had poor social skills as a youngster. Although hard work was regarded as a positive value, long hours were perceived to be negative if one had children. Learning Chinese was seen as very important by all generations (18%). One participant who had refused to learn now regrets it. Parents are taking their children 11
to Chinese Weekend school whether they want to go or not as they believe speaking Chinese helps children to understand their culture and heritage, as well as being able to communicate with older relatives. Education was touched upon implicitly during the 1:1 interviews and discussed within the British Born Chinese focus group as well. Despite many of their parents having takeaway and restaurant backgrounds, most of the BBC participants had continued with higher education and were educated to degree level (83%) . Some of the participants referred to their grown up children or grandchildren with degrees and good jobs or careers. Several of the participants stated that they wanted their children educated in England because they would not be subject to the intense pressure and competition found in China. Although some of the interviewees revealed strong parental pressure in their choice of degree, others had been allowed to choose their own subject. A few had studied arts and humanities, which they told us were unusual choices for Chinese students as Chinese parents prefer professional or vocational qualifications that are ‘useful’. 14 % of participants said they most disliked the practise of gambling and one participant spoke about the devaluing of women in Chinese society. She mentioned an elderly female relative who had been denied education simply because she was a girl; this experience is shared by some of the elderly women interviewed who had received little to no education beyond primary level. Another interview conducted with a female participant revealed the frustration she had felt at not being able to read and write – her life was so severely restricted that as a result as she could not get a job, and was heavily dependent on others. Loneliness, anxiety and depression were mentioned by 20% of female participants of different ages – largely caused by isolation as a result of not being able to speak English, and also being separated from family. Several participants alluded to their fathers going absent once their work shifts ended; there were implications that they would gamble during their spare time. One of the oldest interviewees described spending all his spare time in the casinos because he could socialise with people who spoke his own language. Another interviewee’s father had almost lost the family business through gambling.
- The Chinese community Perceptions of the Chinese community differed amongst the participants. Chinatown was important for those who liked to buy their groceries in the Chinese supermarkets and eateries; however, other participants rarely went to Chinatown except for special occasions such as Chinese New Year. Some described the Chinese community as a place where older Chinese come together for mutual support and to celebrate traditional cultural festivals; for the younger (British Born Chinese) generation, it is where they get together predominantly to enjoy a social life and come together for food. The Chinese community was described by 14% of participants as too quiet, having no voice or being too inward-looking. Some would like to see Chinese people become more involved in civic life, and integrate more with the wider community. One interviewee commented that Chinese professionals tend to mix socially with non-Chinese colleagues, and he felt that they should do more to support community development. Participants talked about changes being felt in the community as more Mainlanders have come to live in the UK. Differences in culture, thinking and outlook as well as spoken languages were mentioned - all of which could have an unsettling effect.
- Achievements
When participants were asked to reflect upon whether they had achieved their aims - one restaurant owner said: “I did not have an aim: I came to seek a better life.” This neatly sums up the attitude of the participants who did not use the language of goals, aims or achievements when describing their migration and settlement stories. There was a general sense of contentment and acceptance of life with no regrets.
- Messages to future migrants 33% participants wanted to relay the following messages to new migrants: • Learn English • Mix with people outside the Chinese community 13
CONCLUSION: History & Heritage The findings of the 1:1 interviews with 78% of migrants reflect studies that were conducted by the Birmingham City Council in 1985-6. In particular, Sparkbrook/ Sparkhill Inner Area Study found: “Language difficulties, especially amongst women....” 33% of participants recognise these issues, as they can be seen in their messages to future migrants above. However, the fact that these messages are given in 2013, nearly 30 years after the Inner Area Study which itself was conducted, three decades after which the community first began to take shape in Birmingham, perhaps reflects another finding in 1985:13 “The particular needs of Birmingham’s Chinese residents have been consistently overlooked.” Migrants who set out on a journey with the broad aim of seeking a better life can see the fruits of their labour within the British Born Chinese generation.
The community and the City can derive optimism from: • • • • • •
Educational achievements of the BBCs (83% with Higher Education qualifications) Entry into career sectors outside of the catering industry (83%) Ability to speak fluently in at least two languages (92%) Interest in civic action Desire to uphold positive cultural values such as respect for the elderly Turning their backs on negative aspects such as gambling
While 38% of the older migrants spend their lives almost entirely within the community, the BBCs have a foot in both ‘camps’, comfortably occupying the space. This is a heritage that should give the wider community both satisfaction and pride. 14
13 The Chinese & Vietnamese in Birmingham, Birmingham City Council Race Relations & Equal Opportunities Unit.
Conducting the Project CCC-B identified potential interviewees from amongst the organisational membership and extended networks. Participants were contacted by telephone, email, letter or in person depending on the mode they were likely to respond to. A4 posters and postcards were produced to promote the project - within Birmingham Chinatown area. Promotion was also made through Regional English media (print and broadcast), European Chinese media (print and broadcast) and various social media channels. Participants were given the options of being interviewed in either English or Chinese:
• • • • • •
14 x interviews (1:1) were conducted in English 11 x interviews were conducted in Cantonese (1 x couple) Two interviews were conducted in Mandarin One interview was conducted in Hakka with the assistance of an interpreter One interviewee was supported by a companion who prompted him frequently in Cantonese (although the interview was conducted in English) The British Born Chinese focus group (x 7) was conducted in English.
Participants were provided with a choice of being interviewed at CCC-B premises in Bradford Street, Digbeth or in a location of their choice ( ie; home or business). • • • • •
21 participants were interviewed at CCC-B Two were interviewed at home One were interviewed at workplaces Five were interviewed at own business premises Seven of the British Born Chinese focus group was interviewed at Southside BID offices.
Interviews were recorded on an audio recorder; these will be archived. Exhibition visitors will be able to hear extracts of the interviews via MP3 players. 15
Displaying the Results: Project Outputs In accordance with the HLF grant requirement, CCC-B will produce a booklet, DVD and a pop-up exhibition.
Blog
For more insight on the project, please visit the blog: http://chineselivesinbirmingham.com/
Exhibition
A pre-exhibition launch event will take place on 15 May 2014 at The Cube, in Birmingham city centre. The main exhibition is being held at The Barber Institute of Fine Arts on the University of Birmingham campus. This will take place for three weeks between 17 May – 8 June in the Learning Space area.
The pop-up exhibition will include: • Large exhibition panels of text and images- containing photographs of all the participants plus short articles on the development of the Birmingham Chinese community and Chinese cultural traditions that are still practised in the area today. • Slideshow of images representing Birmingham Chinese community and Chinatown • Extracts of recorded interviews • Children’s craft activities (selected days)
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Additionally, on the opening day, there will be a fun activity for children and families. During the May 2014 half-term week, there will be two, free Chinese-themed storytelling and craft workshops for children.
DVD
The DVD will encompass; a behind-the-scenes video of project, coverage gained and the exhibition launch event and public opening.
Project Archive
In accordance with the HLF grant conditions, an archive of the project will be created for the Library of Birmingham Archives department, scheduled for June 2014. Training was received from the Archives Department, and the items to be deposited via their spreadsheet catalogue system.
REFERENCES • Baxter, Sue, The Chinese and Vietnamese in Birmingham: Research commissioned by Birmingham City Council Race Relations & Equal Opportunities Unit 1986 • BBC website, Vietnam Profile, 2013 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-16568035 Accessed in April 2014 • Birmingham City Council website www.birmingham.gov.uk/census Accessed between July 2013 – May 2014 • Birmingham City Council website 2011 Census in Birmingham: Birmingham Population and Migration Topic Report October 2013 http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=a pplication%2Fp df&blobheadername1=Content Disposition&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=122354256716 0&ssbinary=true&blobheadervalue1=attachment%3B+filename%3D3186762 3D3186762011_Census_population_and_ migration_topic_report.pdf Accessed between July 2013 – May 2014 • Birmingham City Council website Local Area Profiles - economy & labour market http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/areaprofiles Accessed between July 2013 – May 2014 • Birmingham City Council website 2001 Population Census in Birmingham http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=Planning-and-Regenera tion%2FPageLayout&cid=1223096353827&pagename=BCC%2FCommon%2FWrapper%2FWrap per Accessed between July 2013 – May 2014 • Birmingham City Council website Population in Birmingham: Population and Census http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=Planning-and-Regenera tion%2FPageLayout&cid=1223096353755&pagename=BCC%2FCommon%2FWrapper%2FWrap per Accessed between July 2013 – May 2014 • Community Profiles: Chinese 1995 Birmingham City Council Race Relations Sub-Committee (Pamphlet) • Find My Past 1911 Census (d) http://www.1911census.co.uk/ Accessed in May 2014 • Kelly’s Trade Directories 1908 – 1945 • Lo, Terry, ‘From Cathay to Pershore Street’ 1993, Connecting Histories http://www.search.connectinghistories.org.uk/engine/resource/exhibition/standard/default. asp?txtKeywords=terry+lo&lstContext=&lstResourceType=&lstExhibitionType=&chkPurchase Visible=&txtDateFrom=&txtDateTo=&originator=%2Fengine%2Fsearch%2Fdefault%5Fhndlr%2Ea sp&page=&records=&direction=&pointer=48&text=0&resource=144 Accessed between July 2013 – May 2014 18
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of China, Taiwan-UK Relations, 2013 http://www.roc-taiwan.org/UK/ct.asp?xItem=3848&CtNode=929&mp=132&xp1=132 Accessed between April – May 2014 •
Office for National Statistics 2011 Census (a) http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2011/index.html?utm_source=LCRN%20 %09News%20Service&utm_campaign=2da3bf9763-LCRN_Resource_eNews_Volume_2_Is% 09sue_42_10_2011&utm_medium=email Accessed in May 2014
• Office for National Statistics 1951 – 2011 Census (b) http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2011/how-our-census-works/about-censuses/ census-history/200-years-of-the-census/census-1911-2001/index.html Accessed in May 2014 • Office for National Statistics Office for 1911 – 2001 Census (c) http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2011/how-our-census-works/about-censuses/ census-history/200-years-of-the-census/census-1911-2001/index.html Accessed in May 2014 • Office for National Statistics 1801 – 1901 Census (e) http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2011/census-history/200-years-of-the-cen sus/1801-1901/index.html Accessed in May 2014 • Price, Marie and Benton-Short, Lisa.,ed. Migrants to the Metropolis: The Rise of Immigrant Gateway Cities: Syracuse University Press 2008 • SACU (Society for Anglo Chinese Understanding) www.sacu.org Accessed between July 2013 – May 2014 • San José State University website, Department of Economics Four Modernisations, ‘China Without Mao’ by Immanuel C-Y Hsu 1983 http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/china2.htm Accessed various dates May 2014 • Sparkbrook/Sparkhill Inner Area Study 1985/86 Birmingham City Council (pamphlet)
Acknowledgements Heritage Lottery Fund
Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund for their grant and their support within the duration of the project.
Steering Committee
Thanks to the project steering committee for contributing their ideas at the development stage, acting as a sounding board when the project was underway and for providing meeting rooms, training and exhibition space.
Mentorship
Thanks to the University of Birmingham’s Institute for Research into Superdiversity (IRiS) Practitioner Research Programme, which provided additional training in qualitative research skills - special thanks to mentor Angus McCabe.
Organisations
Birmingham Chinese School Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham Lives Digbeth Speaks Julia McKeown Kii Wedding Photography Off the Great Wall Overseas Chinese Association School SACU (Society for Anglo Chinese Understanding)
Volunteers
Podnosh Trident Housing Association Volunteer Centre Birmingham Volunteer Centre Sandwell
Huge thanks to all the volunteers involved in the project. From those who have researched and written articles, searched archives, taken photographs, to helping plan and promote the exhibition.
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Participants CCC-B is indebted to all the participants involved with the project - from the individuals who took part in the 1:1 interviews, to the British Born Chinese focus group. Without their willingness to talk about their experiences of migration and resettlement, making new lives in a strange country, growing up in-between cultures, reflections on their achievements and messages to future migrants, there simply would have been no project.
A Nhit Chuong
Rachel Hu
Alex Yip
Professor Rayson Huang CBE
Andy Lee
Stacey Ng
Charles Tsua
Sum Ching Lee
Dorian Chan
The Quoc Hang
Irene Henery
Tina Freeth
James Neng-Chien Tseng
Vanessa Truong
James Wong
WaiLo Li
Josephine Herbert
Wilson Tsui
Jun Ying Jia
Winnie Wong
Kelly Ing
Woon Wing Yip OBE
Kin Bong Lam
Ya Mei Wu
Lan Mui Mac
Dr Yeow Poon
Lan Phi Trinh
Ying Chai Fan
Leona Leung
Ying Chen
Nhi Che Tang
Ying Hong Shang
Nguyet A Lai
Yuk Choy Au
Paul Tse
Yun Ping Fung
The interviews took place between November 2013 – January 2014.
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British Chinese Heritage Project
Chinese lives in Birmingham
伯 明 翰
伯明翰華人社區中心 CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTRE - BIRMINGHAM