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Noteworthy Names: The Top 10 Chinese People You Should Know

5 min read January 19, 2024

Chinese celebrities and notable people have made significant contributions to various fields, including entertainment, business, politics, and science. Here are 10 of the most popular and influential Chinese celebrities and notable people:

  • Bruce Lee (1940-1973): Martial artist, actor, philosopher, filmmaker, and founder of Jeet Kune Do. He is widely considered one of the most influential martial artists of all time and a pop culture icon of the 20th century.
  • Jackie Chan (born 1954): Actor, martial artist, stuntman, producer, and director. He is one of the most popular and successful action movie stars in the world, known for his acrobatic fighting style and comedic timing.
  • Jet Li (born 1963): Actor, martial artist, and Wushu champion. He is known for his roles in martial arts films such as “Fist of Legend” and “Fearless”.
  • Michelle Yeoh (born 1962): Actress, producer, and martial artist. She is known for her roles in action films such as “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Tomorrow Never Dies”.
  • Lucy Liu (born 1968): Actress, producer, and director. She is known for her roles in films such as “Charlie’s Angels” and “Kill Bill”.
  • Donnie Yen (born 1963): Actor, martial artist, and fight choreographer. He is known for his roles in martial arts films such as “Ip Man” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”.
  • Lang Lang (born 1982): Pianist. He is one of the most successful classical pianists in the world, known for his virtuosity and charismatic performances.
  • Yao Ming (born 1980): Basketball player. He is a former NBA All-Star and one of the most popular basketball players in China. He is also a successful businessman and philanthropist.
  • Jack Ma (born 1964): Business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder and former executive chairman of Alibaba Group, one of the world’s largest e-commerce companies.
  • Lucy Guo (born 1990): Physicist. She is a theoretical physicist and cosmologist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. She is known for her work on black holes and gravitational waves.
China (Chinese: 中国; pinyin: Zhōngguó), officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the world's second-most-populous country. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and borders fourteen countries by land. With an area of nearly 9.6 million square kilometers (3,700,000 sq mi), it is the third-largest country by total land area. The country is divided into 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, four municipalities, and two semi-autonomous special administrative regions. Beijing is the national capital, while Shanghai is the most populous city and largest financial center. The region has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era. The earliest Chinese dynastic states, such as the Shang and the Zhou, emerged in the basin of the Yellow River before the late second millennium BCE. The eighth to third centuries BCE saw a breakdown in Zhou authority and significant conflict, as well as the emergence of Classical Chinese literature and philosophy. In 221 BCE, China was unified under an emperor for the first time, ushering in more than two millennia in which China was governed by one or more imperial dynasties, including the Han, Tang, Yuan, Ming, and Qing. Some of China's most notable achievements—such as the invention of gunpowder and paper, the establishment of the Silk Road, and the building of the Great Wall—occurred during this period. The imperial Chinese culture—including languages, traditions, architecture, philosophy and more—has heavily influenced East Asia. In 1912, the monarchy was overthrown and the Republic of China was established. The Republic saw consistent conflict for most of the mid-20th century, including a civil war between the Kuomintang government and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which began in 1927, as well as the Second Sino-Japanese War that began in 1937 and continued until 1945, therefore becoming involved in World War II. The latter led to a temporary stop in the civil war and numerous Japanese atrocities such as the Nanjing Massacre, which continue to influence China–Japan relations. In 1949, the CCP established control over China as the Kuomintang fled to Taiwan. Early communist rule saw two major projects: the Great Leap Forward, which resulted in a sharp economic decline and massive famine; and the Cultural Revolution, a movement to purge all non-communist elements of Chinese society that led to mass violence and persecution. Beginning in 1978, the Chinese government launched economic reforms that moved the country away from planned economics, but political reforms were cut short by the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre. Economic reform continued to strengthen the nation's economy in the following decades while raising China's standard of living significantly. China is a unitary one-party socialist republic led by the CCP. It is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and a founding member of several multilateral and regional organizations such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Silk Road Fund, the New Development Bank, and the RCEP. It is a member of the BRICS, the G20, APEC, the SCO, and the East Asia Summit. China ranks poorly in measures of democracy, transparency, and human rights, including for press freedom, religious freedom, and ethnic equality. Making up around one-fifth of the world economy, China is the world's largest economy by GDP at purchasing power parity, the second-largest economy by nominal GDP, and the second-wealthiest country. The country is one of the fastest-growing major economies and is the world's largest manufacturer and exporter, as well as the second-largest importer, although its economic growth has slowed greatly in the 2020s. China is a nuclear-weapon state with the world's largest standing army by military personnel and the second-largest defense budget.

Most Famous Chinese People

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Chinese Mystique: Unraveling Three Key Historical Legacies

The Chinese community has a rich and diverse heritage that spans thousands of years. Throughout its history, China has given the world numerous cultural, artistic, and technological contributions that continue to shape our society today. From inventions and discoveries to distinctive art forms and traditions, the Chinese community has left an indelible mark on the world. Here are three of the most well-known historical inheritances associated with the Chinese heritage:

The Great Wall of China

One of the most iconic symbols of China is the Great Wall. Stretching over 13,000 miles, it is the longest man-made structure in the world and is a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the ancient Chinese civilization. Built to protect the Chinese Empire from invasions, the Great Wall is an engineering marvel that showcases the mastery of ancient Chinese architecture. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine has a history that spans thousands of years and is one of the oldest and most comprehensive systems of healthcare in the world. Based on the principles of balance and harmony, Chinese medicine encompasses various practices, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and qigong. These approaches focus on treating the root cause of illness rather than just the symptoms and have been widely adopted in Western countries as alternative and complementary therapies.

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Chinese Calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy is a highly esteemed art form that dates back to ancient times. Considered a visual expression of the Chinese written language, calligraphy is characterized by elegant, flowing lines and precise brushwork. It is regarded as a form of meditation and requires years of practice to master. Chinese calligraphy has had a profound influence on the development of East Asian culture and art and continues to be treasured as one of China’s most significant artistic contributions.

  • The Great Wall of China showcases the ingenuity and determination of the ancient Chinese civilization.
  • Chinese medicine is one of the oldest and most comprehensive systems of healthcare in the world.
  • Chinese calligraphy is a highly esteemed art form that has had a profound influence on East Asian culture and art.

In a striking celebration of diversity, numerous prominent individuals proudly reflect a mosaic of Scottish, Irish and Australian roots, highlighting the intricate interplay of cultures within their heritage. From accomplished leaders to acclaimed artists, these figures embody the rich lexical semantic tapestry of ethnic backgrounds, illustrating the vibrant spectrum of human experiences.

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Factsheet About Chinese People

Population Approximately 1.4 billion (18% of the world population)
Country with the Largest Chinese Population China
Chinese Population in China Approximately 1.4 billion
Chinese Population Outside of China Over 50 million
Countries with Significant Chinese Population Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines
Chinese Population in Indonesia Approximately 7 million
Chinese Population in Thailand Approximately 9 million
Chinese Population in Malaysia Approximately 6 million
Chinese Population in Singapore Approximately 3 million
Chinese Population in Philippines Approximately 1.5 million
The Han people are the largest ethnic group in mainland China. In 2010, 91.51% of the population were classified as Han (~1.2 billion). Besides the Han Chinese majority, 55 other ethnic (minority) groups are categorized in present-day China, numbering approximately 105 million people (8%), mostly concentrated in the bordering northwest, north, northeast, south and southwest but with some in central interior areas. The major ethnic minorities in China are the Zhuang (19.6 million), Uyghurs (11 million), Hui (11.4 million), Miao (11 million), Manchu (10.4 million), Yi (9.8 million), Tujia (9.6 million), Tibetans (7 million), Mongols (6.3 million), Buyei (3.5 million), Dong (3.5 million), Yao (3.3 million), Bai (2 million), Koreans (1.7 million), Hani (1.7 million), Li (1.6 million), Kazakhs (1.5 million), and Dai (1.2 million). At least 126,000 people from Canada, the United States, and Europe are living in mainland China. In addition, there are a number of unrecognized ethnic groups which together comprise over 730,000 people.

The Ancient Heritage of Chinese Ethnic Groups

Chinese Ethnicity: References and Resources

References and resources to dig deeper about the Chinese ethnic group include:

  • China Education Center: This website provides information on the different ethnic groups in China, including the Han Chinese, as well as their history, culture, and languages.
  • Encyclopedia Britannica: Britannica offers an extensive overview of the Han Chinese, their history, language, culture, and various aspects of their society.
  • ChinaSage: This website provides detailed information on the ethnic minority groups in China, allowing for a deeper understanding of the diversity within the Chinese population.
  • WorldAtlas: WorldAtlas provides an informative article that explores the various ethnic groups in China, their distribution, and cultural practices.
  • BBC Religion: Chinese religions: This page delves into the different religious beliefs and practices followed by the Chinese, including Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and traditional folk beliefs.

These resources can provide valuable insights into the rich and diverse culture of the Chinese ethnic group. From understanding their historical background and language to exploring their religious beliefs and cultural practices, delving deeper into these resources will enable a comprehensive understanding of the Han Chinese and other ethnic groups in China.

As we continue to celebrate diversity and embrace the richness of different cultures, let us honor and draw inspiration from these remarkable individuals who have shaped our world. Thank you for joining us on this captivating journey.

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Syarif Muhamad

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