Diversity and inclusion in China

When you move to China, you'll find life both exciting and challenging. The language barriers and cultural differences in the country might be difficult for expats to adjust to, but it's still possible to enjoy your time in China. 

Diversity and inclusion in China are becoming increasingly important. That said, how inclusion is understood here differs slightly from Western ideas. In China, inclusion focuses more on accepting differences rather than celebrating them.

Accessibility in China

In the run-up to the 2008 Olympics, China signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), committing to providing fundamental freedoms, such as the right to education, employment, and transport. Since then, China has made progress in ensuring that its cities are more accessible to the elderly and those with disabilities.

Although still behind Western standards, major cities have features such as curb drops at intersections and raised paths for the blind. The more recently built public transport facilities are fully accessible; most airports and metro stations have elevators between floors and 'braille trails' on the ground for the blind, along with disabled toilets and other facilities. 

Buses rarely have ramps, though, and the available ramps tend to be steep, so most wheelchair users will require assistance when boarding and alighting. Accessible taxis are hard to find in China.

There is little deference for people with disabilities in China, and not many locals will give wheelchair users space to enter a metro train or proceed along a pavement, so it may be necessary to be assertive.

Useful resources

• Wheelchair Travel

LGBTQ+ in China

The Chinese constitution provides for equality for all citizens, although there is no explicit mention of sexual orientation or gender identity.

China excluded homosexuality from hooliganism in 1997, but the LGBTQ+ community still faces discrimination, and more recently life has been getting harder for gay people in China. There has been a social media crackdown on LGBTQ+ groups, and China’s only LGBT celebration, Shanghai Pride, has not taken place since 2021.

Despite this, every major city in China has a thriving gay scene, with gay-friendly bars, restaurants, and clubs.

Useful resources

• OutChina
• Tongyu

Gender equality in China

The equality of men and women was enshrined in China’s Constitution in 1954, and since then women in China have seen notable gains in life expectancy and literacy. This is mainly due to China’s rapid economic development. China’s modernisation has, however, seen a drop in the female workforce participation rate. Women are usually solely responsible for child and elder care in China, which principally explains their lower representation in the workforce.

Gender-biased sex selection continues to be a problem in China, particularly in poorer rural areas, due to a 'son preference'. Incidents of sex-selective abortions and female infanticide have resulted in male overpopulation. This is changing, though, as women now account for 49 percent of China's population. This is largely due to the fact that it is now illegal to identify the gender of a baby before birth for nonmedical purposes or to terminate pregnancy for gender preference.

Useful resources

• China Europe International Business School – Evolving Diversity Dynamics in China 

Women in leadership in China

Although women represent almost half of the population, they occupy less than 8 percent of senior leadership positions in China. The level of female representation in key government roles is currently non-existent as of 2024, the only woman who was part of the Chinese Communist Party Politburo resigned in 2023, leaving the party with no female leaders. 

Only 14 percent of board directors in listed companies in China are women (World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report, 2024). That said, entrepreneurship is one area where Chinese women take a leading role. More than 20 percent of technology and healthcare start-ups in China had at least one woman on their boards, and 70 percent had at least one female executive. The Global Gender Gap Report puts China towards the bottom of its list—in 2024, it was rated 111th among 146 countries included in the study.

Useful resources

• World Economic Forum – Gender Global Gap Report

Mental health awareness in China

Mental health is a growing issue in China. It is also an issue among the elderly, with many senior citizens facing loneliness as their children move away to build new lives in big cities.

Mental health is a taboo subject among many in China, and the fear of being stigmatised and socially isolated discourages people from seeking help. To address this, the Chinese government has introduced laws aimed at raising awareness, training health workers, and integrating mental healthcare within the health service.

Expats can be at risk of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, exacerbated by the stress and loneliness of moving away from home. Most international companies are now more aware of the impact of mental health issues, and many have adjusted their policies to provide better support. This includes ensuring that mental illness is well covered by the company’s chosen employee healthcare schemes, as well as promoting knowledge and decreasing stigma by holding in-house workshops.

Finding help as a foreigner in China can seem like a daunting prospect, but highly qualified mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors, are available in all the major cities.

Useful resources

• Beijing Mental Health Centre
• Alcoholics Anonymous Beijing

Unconscious bias training in China

Unconscious bias is an implicit set of often stereotyped ideas an individual carries about groups of people different to themselves. These ideas are not purposefully adopted but rather develop subtly over time, and people tend to hold unconscious biases about groups they never or rarely come into contact with. As a result, they're typically inaccurate and based on assumptions.

Unconscious bias can profoundly affect both personal and work conditions. In the workplace, unchecked bias undermines vital aspects of the company, with negative effects on employee performance, retention, and recruitment. In a bid to create a better work environment, many companies are beginning to institute unconscious bias training.

There is a preference in many Chinese companies to only take on candidates who are native Chinese. Despite claims of ‘zero tolerance’ by the authorities, xenophobia and racism continue to be a problem in China. According to Human Rights Watch, people of African descent in China face particular discrimination in employment, housing, and refusal of services, including by hotels, taxi companies and public transport.

Useful resources

• Project Implicit
• NonProfitReady
   

Diversification in the workplace in China

Although the number of foreigners working in China's key cities is declining due to changes in tax laws, these numbers are showing a recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic. There are now just 200,000 foreigners living in Shanghai, and only 22,000 in Beijing.

Many Western companies in China face difficulty in attracting and retaining foreign talent, and the reasons are not limited to Covid-related restrictions. According to a survey by the European Chamber of Commerce, other reasons include the high cost of living, a lack of good-quality affordable education, poor air quality, internet restrictions, and geopolitical concerns, particularly in the case of American companies.

Most global companies now recognise the benefits of a workplace that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion. Studies show that diversity often breeds creativity and innovation, and organisations with a diverse and inclusive workforce are happier and more productive. A study by the City University of Hong Kong showed 46 percent of those surveyed in Mainland China believe that diversity promotes innovation.

Safety in China

Serious and violent crime in China is rare, although expats can fall victim to petty crime and pickpocketing, particularly in tourist areas. Foreigners should take sensible precautions, like keeping valuables out of sight and only hailing taxis from a marked taxi rank. The standard of driving in China can be low, so the biggest safety risk may, in fact, be crossing a road.

Calendar initiatives in China

4 February – World Cancer Day
8 March – International Women’s Day
March – TB Awareness Month
April – Stress Awareness Month
1 May – Labour Day
19 May – Global Accessibility Awareness Day
10 September – World Suicide Prevention Day
October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month
10 October –World Mental Health Day
14 November – World Diabetes Day
November – Men’s Health Month ('Movember')
1 December – World AIDS Day