The Chinese in Europe: population, economy and links with qiaoxiang in the early twenty-first century

In September 2008, the European Federation of Chinese Organizations (EFCO) held its 15th congress in Berlin. More than 500 Chinese organization leaders from all over Europe attended the congress. The general secretary of EFCO presented a survey in the name of EFCO: nowadays there are about 2.5 million Chinese migrants and their offspring living in Europe. In total, Chinese migrants in Europe have organized more than 800 associations, published 101 Chinese magazines, newspapers and bulletins. Also, they have set up 340 Chinese weekend schools that have recruited 55,000 pupils; almost all pupils are children of Chinese migrant parents.1