The Northern Territory Chinese community dates back to the late 1870s when Chinese migrants first settled here during the gold rush era. Since then the Chinese community has grown with Chinese people coming from many different parts of Asia. Currently approximately 3 per cent of the NT population is of Chinese descent.
The development of trade, cultural and sporting links has been influenced by the strong and enduring links between the Darwin Hakka speaking community and Meizhou in south east China.
A number of Chinese associations have been established in the Northern Territory:
- Chung Wah Society
- the Hakka Association
- the Chinese Language and Culture Centre
- the Cantonese Opera Association
- the Australia-China Friendship Association
- the Chinese East Timorese Association
- the Hong Kong Club.
These associations organise Chinese festivals and events during the year, such as dragon boat racing, Chinese New Year and Moon festivals, Chinese opera etc.