"Where do I belong?" This question lingered in my mind long after my conversations with Sisi, a 21-year-old Chinese-Spanish student at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF). Her parents migrated from China in the 1990s, like thousands of others, seeking economic opportunity in Barcelona. Yet Kiki—confident, Catalan-speaking, and deeply influenced by Spanish culture—felt neither fully Chinese nor entirely Spanish. Her story was not unique. Over two months, I interviewed ten second-generation Chinese immigrants aged 16 to 22, accumulating over 20 hours of raw, personal narratives. Their stories revealed a generation grappling with identity, cultural duality, and the weight of their parents’ sacrifices.
A Personal Journey into the Diaspora
My own arrival in Barcelona as an exchange student last semester was not my first experience navigating a foreign culture. Yet, unlike past encounters with international communities, I struggled to find familiarity in my American-dominated institute. It was through a Japanese-Spanish language exchange group—united by anime and shared pop culture—that I first felt a sense of belonging. But it was Kiki who opened the door to a deeper exploration. Through her, I discovered Barcelona’s vibrant Chinese diaspora, a community shaped by decades of migration yet often overlooked in broader discussions of Spanish multiculturalism.
The Ajuntament de Barcelona reports nearly 22,000 Chinese nationals residing in the city as of 2024. Yet this number obscures a critical divide: between first-generation migrants clinging to their homeland ties and their Spanish-born children, negotiating dual identities. My research focuses on the latter—the "1.5" and second-generation youth—who stand at the crossroads of assimilation and cultural preservation.
Roots and Realities: The First Generation’s Legacy
The Chinese community in Barcelona traces its origins to the late 20th century, with a surge in migration from Qingtian (青田) and other parts of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces after China’s economic reforms. These pioneers clustered in labor-intensive sectors:
Over 60% of first-generation migrants work in retail (百元店), hospitality, bars, or wholesale trade (textile warehouses, import-export).
Nearly 30% own or operate small businesses, often family-run.
A smaller segment works in construction or domestic services.
Many interviewees described parents who retained Chinese citizenship, invested in property back home, and returned periodically—a testament to unshaken roots. "My father
still talks about retiring in Wenzhou," one 20-year-old shared. "But I’ve never lived there. My life is here."
The Second Generation’s Dilemma: Between Nostalgia and New Identity For these young Chinese-Spaniards, identity is not inherited—it’s negotiated. Key themes emerged:
Cultural Dissonance
"At school, I’m ‘la china.’ At home, I’m ‘too Spanish.’" (Andrea, 19)
Many described pressure to excel academically, a reflection of their parents’ sacrifice. Language as a Barrier—and a Bridge
While most speak Catalan and Spanish fluently, Mandarin or regional dialects (e.g., Wenzhounese) are often passive skills, learned at home but rarely mastered.
The Myth of Return
Parents’ plans to retire in China clash with their children’s anchored lives in Spain.
"They expect me to care about relatives I’ve met twice," said Mark, 21. "But I don’t feel Chinese enough to mourn a village I’ve never seen."
Why Their Stories Matter
Barcelona’s Chinese community is often reduced to stereotypes: hardworking, insular, running todo a cien shops. But this generation defies simplification. They are artists, engineers, and activists—navigating a world their parents couldn’t imagine.
In the next section, I’ll delve into their hybrid cultural practices, from blending Lunar New Year with Festa Major to challenging stereotypes through social media. Their stories are not just about conflict—but about the creative resilience of growing up in-between.
Jia – The Unsettled Life of a Teenage Helper
Many assume that Spain-born Chinese automatically hold Spanish citizenship, but in reality, numerous families refuse it—clinging to their Chinese passports, convinced they will one day return to a homeland their children barely know.
Take Jia, 16, now in her fourth middle school transfer after her parents moved to the Basque Country to open a new malatang restaurant. This isn’t her first relocation—years ago, they uprooted from downtown Barcelona to the suburbs for another family business. Despite her age, she’s been working weekends and holidays for four years, earning €20 per shift. Her family doesn’t take vacations, except for Chinese New Year, December 31st, and Semana Santa. Education isn’t a priority for them; they have no expectations for her future.
Like many Chinese-Spanish youth, her cultural tastes are a mix—she listens to Spanish and English music but names Jay Chou as her favorite artist, a common preference among her peers.
Xin – Between Identity and Opportunity
Xin, 21, is finishing her degree and plans to pursue a master’s in the Netherlands. Unlike Jia’s family, she intends to switch to a Spanish passport for better EU opportunities—a practical choice her parents, who arrived 25 years ago, reluctantly accept.
Her father came first in 2000, establishing a shoe store before bringing over her mother and then-6-year-old brother. Xin grew up helping in the business after school, but today, she feels more Spanish than Chinese (70% to 30%, by her estimate). Yet, despite being born in Barcelona, she finds full integration elusive. Most of her friends are Latin American—another
immigrant community—because, as she explains, breaking into Catalan circles requires deep local roots.
Catalonia’s independence movement further complicates belonging. Political engagement demands generational ties, something most Chinese immigrants lack. As another friend of mine notes that while Moroccan and North African communities lobby for policy changes, the Chinese diaspora remains politically invisible. Spain has yet to see a single Chinese-origin representative in government—a gap that, unless addressed, will keep the community on the margins.
Conclusion: A Call for Inclusion and Support
Through these interviews, a clear pattern emerges: second-generation Chinese immigrants in Spain exist in a liminal space—neither fully embraced by Catalan society nor entirely rooted in their parents’ homeland. Their struggles—whether Jia’s unstable upbringing or Xin’s negotiation of identity—reveal systemic gaps that demand action.
What Must Change?
Government Responsibility: Civic Education & Political Representation
Local authorities should implement mandatory civic education programs in schools, teaching immigrant youth how to engage with Spain’s political systems. Quotas or outreach initiatives could encourage Chinese-Spanish participation in local councils, mirroring efforts for Moroccan and Latin American communities.
Schools: Combatting Isolation and Bullying
Teachers need training to address cultural bullying (e.g., anti-Asian slurs, exclusion). Teenagers like Jia, already strained by family obligations, cannot navigate this alone. Multilingual counseling services would help bridge gaps between immigrant parents and Spanish educators.
Chinese Community: From Invisibility to Advocacy
Community centers should offer legal workshops on citizenship rights and labor protections—many families don’t realize the benefits of Spanish passports. Youth mentorship programs could empower teens to articulate their dual identities without shame.
Final Reflection
Integration isn’t just about learning Catalan or opening businesses—it’s about being seen as equals in the public sphere. Spain cannot afford to overlook its Chinese youth; their voices,
if nurtured, could enrich Catalonia’s multicultural fabric. The time for passive coexistence is over. It’s time to listen.
This photo captures a quiet street in El Clot, a working-class neighborhood in Barcelona’s Sant Martí district—and one of the city’s lesser-known hubs for Chinese immigrant life. Unlike the tourist-heavy streets of El Raval or the glossy sprawl of Eixample, El Clot retains an unassuming, residential feel.
Retail shops and bars run by Chinese owners often bear neutral Spanish or Catalan names, blending into the streetscape. This quiet rebranding reflects a pragmatic approach: signaling familiarity to local customers while maintaining the cuisine’s roots behind the scenes. This photo captures a telling detail of Barcelona’s Chinese immigrant adaptation—a restaurant with the simple, Catalan label "Cuina Xinesa tradicional" rather than the more Spanish "Restaurante Chino."
Bibliography:
1. “One of Every Four People in Barcelona Is Now a Foreign National.” One of every four people in Barcelona is now a foreign national | Barcelona International Welcome. Accessed July 14, 2025.
https://www.barcelona.cat/internationalwelcome/en/news/one-of-every-four-people-in-barcelo na-is-now-a-foreign-national-1408362.
2. Cececebe. “Qingtian: Chinese Immigration in Barcelona: Activities.” CCCB. Accessed July 14, 2025.
https://www.cccb.org/en/activities/file/qingtian-chinese-immigration-in-barcelona/218100.
Appendix
Interview Questions:
Section 1: Demographics
- Age, gender, birthplace, languages spoken, education level.
Section 2: Family Background
- Parental occupation (e.g., Does your family own a business? [Yes/No]). - Involvement in the family business (e.g., How many hours/week do you work there?). Section 3: Educational Experience
- Likert scale: My family prioritizes education over work (1–5).
- Open-ended: How has your family’s work influenced your education? Section 4: Career Aspirations
- Multiple-choice: Do you plan to take over the family business? [Yes/No/Undecided/N/A]. - Likert scale: I feel pressured to follow my family’s career expectations (1–5) (1=high pressure 5=low pressure);
Section 5: Cultural Identity
- Likert scale: I identify more with Chinese traditions than Spanish/Catalan culture (1–5). (1=Chinese 5=Spanish)
- Open-ended: Describe a moment you felt torn between two cultures. Section 6: Civic Engagement
- Yes/No: Are you involved in local community organizations?
- Likert scale: I am interested in participating in local governance (1–5). Section 7: Additional Comments
- What support would help you balance family expectations with personal goals?