Introduction / History

Mandarin speakers are among the Han Chinese, the largest ethnic group worldwide. They are the majority in China, but most nations have a Chinese diaspora.

The Han Chinese fled to other countries after the Mongol invasion in 1276. Many other upheavals and conflicts followed, and the Chinese continued to settle outside China.

Chinese languages are united by a writing system that people who speak any Chinese language can understand. It’s very different with spoken Chinese; few dialects are intelligible to the other. The largest Chinese language is Mandarin.

Mandarin has four subdialects, but these are mutually intelligible. One of the subdialects was from Beijing, China's capital city and power center. It was the language of the educated classes and made the official language during the Qing dynasty in the early 20th century. The Chinese government wasn’t strong enough to enforce it until the 1949 communist revolution. Mao gained far more power than any Chinese leader, and Mandarin became the official language taught in Chinese schools from that time forward. Though the Chinese kept their local dialects, Mandarin became the language of media, education, business and government throughout China. For that reason, if they are from the PRC, migrants are fluent in Mandarin.

Sometimes they migrated as refugees but are more likely to settle elsewhere for business purposes. Wherever they went, the Chinese settled almost exclusively in urban areas and became involved in business and commerce. One of the nations they have settled in is Libya.

What Are Their Lives Like?

In Libya, the Chinese are known not only for their businesses but also for their construction projects. Most of the engineers, supervisors, managers and common workers are Chinese.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Mandarin Chinese in Libya are secularized, but some have a strong faith in the Lord who can take the gospel to Libyan Muslims.

What Are Their Needs?

Libya has been in a brutal civil war for years, and the combatants have no mercy. Expats can't stay safe in some situations. Most Mandarin Chinese have been evacuated. They need to find another way to earn a living.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to protect the Chinese in Libya.
Pray for Mandarin Chinese Christ followers, filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit, to disciple Libyan Muslims in the ways of Christ.
Pray for Chinese Christian believers to fill the bowls of incense with prayer for Muslims in Libya.
Pray for the Mandarin Chinese to have the spiritual hunger to seek and find Jesus Christ.

Scripture Prayers for the Han Chinese, Mandarin in Libya.

References

https://people-groups.asiaharvest.org/Thailand/HanChineseMinNan-OC.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_people_in_Libya