Wenzhou people or Wenzhounese people is a subgroup of Oujiang Wu Chinese speaking peoples, who live primarily in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province. Wenzhou people are known for their business and money making skills. The area also has a large diaspora population in land for Europe and the United States, with a reputation for being enterprising natives who start restaurants, retail and wholesale businesses in their adopted countries. About two-thirds of the overseas community is in Europe. Wenzhounese people have also a notable contributions to mathematics and technology.
The vast majority of Wenzhounese people (80%) have ancestry from Northern Fujian, thus they are genetically related to Min Speakers living in Fujian.
Wenzhou natives speak a unique form of Wu Chinese called Wenzhou dialect. However, geographic isolation and an admixture of Southern Min Chinese speakers from nearby Fujian Province, have caused Wenzhou's spoken language to evolve into a dialect that is notable for its highly divergent phonology. As a result even people from other regions of Zhejiang and Fujian both have trouble understanding Wenzhounese. The Taizhou dialect, located directly to the north, has little to no mutual intelligbility with Wenzhou. Many Wenzhou natives also speak a Southern Min dialect called Zhenan Min.
The wenzhou dialect preserves a large amount of vocabulary of classical Chinese lost in most other Chinese dialects, earning itself the nickname "the living fossil", and has distinct grammatical differences from Mandarin.
Due to its high degree of eccentricity and difficulty for non-locals to understand, the language is reputed to have been used during the Second Sino-Japanese War during wartime communication as code talkers and in Sino-Vietnamese War for programming military code.
Nanxi is a form of Chinese opera developed in Wenzhou, which is the earliest form of traditional Chinese Opera in the history of China.
Wenzhou was home to the Yongjia School of thought, which emphasized pragmatism and commerce. This philosophy is thought to have been a forerunner to modern capitalism in the region.
People of Excellence and Land of Wisdom
There is a popular saying in China that reflects the status of the city of Wenzhou related to the Fengshui of Wenzhou which is "People of Excellence and Land of Wisdom"(人傑地靈), as the local Wenzhounese people are usually described in China as the people of excellence and the city of Wenzhou is usually praised as the city of wisdom.
In the early days of economic reforms, local Wenzhounese took the lead in China in developing a commodity economy, household industries and specialized markets. Many thousands of people and families were engaged in household manufacturing to develop individual and private economy (private enterprise). Up till now, Wenzhou has a total of 240,000 individually owned commercial and industrial units and 130,000 private enterprises of which 180 are group companies, 4 among China’s top 500 enterprises and 36 among national 500 top private enterprises. There are 27 national production bases such as "China’s Shoes Capital" and "China’s Capital of Electrical Equipment", China’s 40 famous trademarks and China’s famous-brand products and 67 national inspection-exempt products in the city. The development of private economy in Wenzhou has created the "Wenzhou Economic Model", which inspires the modernization drive in China.
As of 2010, 650,300 people in Wenzhou hold a college degree; 1,150,400 people hold a high school degree; 3,344,400 people hold a middle school degree; 2,679,900 people hold an elementary school degree. In every 100,000 people in Wenzhou, 7128 people hold a college degree; 12611 people hold a high school degree; 36663 people hold a middle school degree and 29379 people hold an elementary school degree. The population of illiterate people in Wenzhou is 645,100, which is 7.07% of its whole population.
At the time of the 2010 Chinese census, 3,039,500 people lived in Wenzhou's city proper; the area under its jurisdiction (which includes two satellite cities and six counties) held a population of 9,122,100 of which 31.16% are non-local residents from outside of Wenzhou.
Rest of Mainland China
There are around 1.7 million Wenzhounese people living in other parts of the country. In major cities such as Beijing or Shanghai there are "Zhejiang villages", enclaves where people from Wenzhou reside and do business.
In 2010, an analysis conducted by the CESNUR and the University of Turin on the 4,000-strong Chinese community of Turin showed that at that time, 48% of this community was women and 30%, minors. Most of the Chinese in Italy—and virtually all of the Turin community—hail from the southeastern Chinese province of Zhejiang, primarily the city of Wenzhou. The community in Turin is younger than other Chinese settlements in Italy, and for this reason it depends as a branch of the community of Milan. Approximately 70% of the Chinese in Turin work in restaurant activity, and more than 20% work in commercial activity.
Prato, Tuscany has the largest concentration of Chinese people in Italy, and all of Europe. It has the second largest population of Chinese people overall in Italy, after Milan.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands currently has the third largest population of Wenzhounese in Europe.
About 70% of the Chinese people in Spain are from Wenzhou or Qingtian.
Wenzhou people in the United States are mostly concentrated on the East Coast, particularily around the New York City metropolitan area. Many Wenzhou people are owners of Chinese restaurants. They are the second largest group of Chinese undocumented immigrants in the United States, after Fuzhounese people. The total Wenzhou population in the US was estimated to be around 100,000 in 2003.
Japan was the destination for many Wenzhounese migrants in the beginning of the 20th century, however many of them returned following the rise of anti-foreign sentiment and ultimately the outbreak of the second Sino-Japanese War.
Sun Yirang 孫诒让 (1848–1908), pioneer of decipherment of Oracle Bone Script, founder of the first mathematical academy in the history of China, mentor of Huang QingchengHuang Qingcheng 黄庆澄 (1863-1904), uncle of Jiang Lifu, founder of the first periodical of mathematics in the history of China, student of Sun YirangJiang Lifu 姜立夫 (1890-1978), father of mathematics in modern China, first president of Academia Sinica of Mathematics, mentor of Su Buqing, Shiing-Shen Chern, Hua Luogeng, father of Jiang Boju, nephew and student of Huang QingchengSu Buqing 苏步青 (1902–2003), mathematician, president and honorary president of Fudan University, honorary chairman of the Chinese Mathematical Society, first geometer in the Orient, renowned as "King of Math" in China, student of Jiang LifuLi Ruifu 李锐夫(1903-1987), prominent mathematician and astronomer, author of Solar System, former vice president of Shanghai Mathematical Society and Shanghai Astronomical SocietyShu Shien-Siu 徐賢修 (1912—2002), former prime minister of Ministry of Science and Technology of Republic of China, president of National Tsing Hua University, father of Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park, renowned as the father of high-tech industry in TaiwanXiang Fuchen 项黼宸 (1916-1990), former chair of the Department of Mathematics at National Taiwan University, former president of Academia Sinica of MathematicsBai Zhengguo 白正國 (1916-2015), one of the pioneers of geometry in China, student of Su Buqing, mentor of Gu ChaohaoChung Tao Yang 杨忠道 (1923-2005), chair of the Department of Mathematics at University of Pennsylvania from 1978 to 1983, student of Su BuqingZhang Mingyong 张鸣镛 (1926-1986), vice chair of Department of Mathematics at Xiamen University, mentor of Chen Jingrun, student of Su BuqingGu Chaohao 谷超豪 (1926–2012), vice president of Fudan University, president of University of Science and Technology of China, student of Su Buqing, Bai ZhengguoWu-Chung Hsiang 项武忠 (1935-), chair of the Department of Mathematics at Princeton University from 1982 to 1985, son of Xiang ChangquanWu-Yi Hsiang 项武义 (1937-), prominent mathematician in geometry and topology, professor emeritus at University of California, Berkley, one of the provers of Kepler ConjectureJiang Boju 姜伯驹 (1937-), first president of School of Mathematical Sciences at Peking University, former chairman of Beijing Mathematical Society, son of Jiang LifuLi Bingyi 李秉彝 (1938-), former president of Southeast Asian Mathematical Society, former vice president of International Commission on Mathematical InstructionLu Shanzhen 陆善镇 (1939-), prominent mathematician, president of Beijing Normal University, former professor at Washington University in St. LouisLi Banghe 李邦河 (1942-), prominent mathematician in differential topology, low-dimension topology and invariable quantum, solver of Minimal Genus ProblemT. Tony Cai 蔡天文 (1967-), 2008 COPSS Presidents' Award winner, Dorothy Silberberg professor at Wharton School of the University of PennsylvaniaChess Grandmasters
Bao Yizhong 鲍一中(1500-1566), Go chess player, most prominent chess player of China in Ming Dynasty, renowned as the "highest echelon of Ming Dynasty"Xie Xiaxun 谢侠逊 (1887-1987), father of Chinese chess, renowned as the "Supreme Commander of Chess" and "King of Chess" in ChinaYe Rongguang 叶荣光(1963-), first-ever chess grandmaster in the history of China, coach of Zhu ChenZhu Chen 诸宸 (1976–), female chess international grandmaster and world championDing Liren 丁立人(1992-), chess Grandmaster, youngest-ever winner of Chinese Chess Championship at age 16, ranked 1st nationally and 7th internationally as of September 2015, renowned as the new "King of Chess" in ChinaWang Xizhi 王羲之 (303–361), sage of Chinese calligraphy, former governor of YongjiaXie Lingyun (Duke of Kangle) 谢灵运 (385–433), poet, founder of landscape poetry in ChinaYe Shi 叶适 (1150–1223), philosopher, most important figure of the neo-Confucianism Yongjia SchoolWu Xianwen 伍献文 (1900-1985), one of the pioneers of Ichthyology and Nematology in ChinaFang Jiekan 方介堪 (1901-1987), prominent calligrapher, former honorary chairman of Chinese Calligraphers AssociationCheng Man-ch'ing (Zheng Manqing) 郑曼青 (1902–1975), t'ai chi ch'uan master, calligrapher, painter, poet, doctor of Chinese medicine, called the "Master of Five Excellences"Xia Nai 夏鼐 (1910–1985), archaeologist, pioneer of archaeology in modern China, one of the most honored scholars in archaeologyQi Jun 琦君 (1917-2006), author, best-selling female author of Taiwan, one of the most significant female authors in the history of ChinaChen Cheng-siang (Chen Zhengxiang) 陈正祥 (1922-2003), first prominent geographer in the history of China, one of the most prominent geographers in the world, renowned as the Alexander von Humboldt of the OrientChen Guangzhong 陈光中 (1930-), jurist, renowned as the father of Criminal procedure of ChinaFrank Shu 徐遐生 (1943-), chair of astronomy department of University of California, Berkeley from 1984 to 1988, former president of American Astronomical Society, president of National Tsing Hua University, son of Shu Shien-SiuHsiao Cheng 萧政 (1943-), editor and member of executive council of Journal of EconometricsJin Henghui 金恒炜 (1944-), journalist, author, pundit, former vice president of Taiwan SocietyShen Zhixun 沈志勋 (1962-), one of the pioneers in materials physics, winner of E.O. Lawrence Award, Advisor for Science and Technology of SLAC National Accelerator LaboratoryWu Zhaohui 吴朝晖 (1966-), educator, president of Zhejiang UniversityLiu Ji 刘基 (1311–1375), one of the greatest military strategists and statesmen in the history of China, founding father of Ming Dynasty alongside founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, renowned as the Divine Chinese Nostradamus, author of Shaobing SongHuang Huai 黃淮 (1367-1449), Grand Secretariat of Ming DynastyZhang Cong 张璁 (1475–1539), Ming Dynasty prime minister, reformer, founder of Ming Dynasty RevolutionDai Ren 戴任 (1862-1937), revolutionist of Democracy in China, prominent politician during Republic of China, friend and partner of Sun Yat-senNi Wenya 倪文亚(1902-2006), former president of the Legislative Yuan of Republic of ChinaXiang Changquan 项昌权 (1903-2000), former vice president of Department of Civil Affairs of Republic of China, former mayor of Taipei, father of Wu-Chung HsiangWu Qidi 吴启迪 (1947-), educator, former vice prime minister of Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, former president of Tongji University, first collegiate president appointed through election in the history of ChinaJean Ping 让平 (1942-), former Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, former President of the United Nations General Assembly, son of Wenzhounese businessman Cheng ZhipingSheun Mingling 林训明 (1921-), billionaire, founder of Evora SA, one of the world's biggest nonwoven manufacturer, biggest aluminum can manufacturer in BrazilNina Wang 龚如心 (1937-2007), billionaire, businesswoman, former Asia and Hong Kong's richest woman, founder of Nina Tower, wife of Teddy WangKung Yan-sum 龚仁心 (1942-), billionaire, brother of Nina Wang, chairman of Chinachem Group, one of the biggest property developers in Hong KongJason Chang 张虔生 (1944-), billionaire, founder and president of ASE Group, the world's largest provider of independent semiconductor manufacturing servicesHuang Jiannan 黃建南 (1945-), former chief fundraiser for Democratic National Committee in 1996Lin Jianhai 林建海(1955-), economist, secretary-general of International Monetary FundNita Ing (Yin Qi) 殷琪 (1955-), business magnate, billionaire, first lady of construction business in Taiwan, president of Continental Engineering CorporationJames Chu 朱家良 (1957-), founder and president of Viewsonic, world's first-ever manufacturer of Smart DisplayJen-Hsun Huang 黃仁勳 (1963-), co-founder, president and CEO of Nvidia, founder of Jen-Hsun Huang Engineering Center of Stanford UniversityWu Xiaohui 吴小晖 (1966-), owner of Waldorf Astoria New York, founder and CEO of China's second biggest insurance group, Anbang Insurance GroupYongjia Xuanjue 永嘉玄觉 (655–713), Chán master, Tiantai Buddhist monk, author of the Song of EnlightenmentMiu Tianrui 缪天瑞(1908-2009), pioneer of Musical temperament in China, "father of Music journalism" in ChinaZeng Liansong 曾联松 (1917-1999), creator of Flag of the People's Republic of ChinaNan Huai-Chin 南怀瑾 (1918-2012), spiritual teacher of contemporary China, most important figure of Chinese Buddhism in modern ChinaWang Zhaofan 王昭藩 (1931-), architect, one of the designers along with Minoru Yamasaki of original World Trade CenterFeng Zhenghu 冯正虎 (1954–), economist, activist, reputed as the "prominent human rights defender" in ChinaZhou Yun (1978–) 周韵, main actress in Let the Bullets Fly and The AssassinTang Wei 汤唯 (1982–), actress, main actress in Lust, CautionHo-Pin Tung 董荷斌 (1982–), first Formula 1 racer in the history of ChinaZhu Qinan 朱启南 (1984–), Games of the XXVIII Olympiad Gold Medalist in sport shootingSui He (1989–) 何穗, supermodel, first Asian face of Shiseido, first Asian model to open a Ralph Lauren runway show, Victoria's Secret fashion modelEstelle Chen (Chen Yu) (1998–) 陈瑜, only Asian model in Dior Haute Couture 2015/2016