[6] East Asian Britons are generally viewed as a distinct ethnic group or identity,[7] and have been academically studied as such.

[8] The first settlement of Chinese people in the United Kingdom dates from the early 19th century.

The majority are from former British colonies, such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Burma, Singapore, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and also other countries such as Vietnam.

People from mainland China and Taiwan and their descendants constitute a relatively small proportion of the British Chinese community.

[12] The figures below represent data collected for the 2021 United Kingdom census with the country as a reported birthplace recorded (i.e. does not include British born people of East Asian origin).