Chinese expatriate life in Africa is often seen as a mystery to outsiders due to the significant cultural and linguistic barriers that get in the way of closer ties. Like many immigrant populations around the world, Chinese residents in Africa often live in tight-knit communities that are in some ways self-sustaining and, as such, can exclude local residents.
As a result, we don’t often hear what daily life is like for Chinese residents on the content. Unless one ventures on to WeChat where open, honest accounts of expatriate life are becoming increasingly common. Because these reflections are all in Chinese and intended only for a Chinese audience, they’re often far more revealing than anything one would find in English.
