The Chinese are the most prominent of the foreign communities who have lived for decades as an integral part of Calcutta and flourished incredibly. China has been sending scholars, itinerant travellers and businessmen to India since time immemorial. A young and insouciant man named Atchew came here around 1780. His tomb is still found on the banks of the Hugli in Achipur, a village which he founded 15 miles South of Calcutta. The Chinese people of this region regard it as a pilgrimage and visit the place every year during the New Year festival. As per the report of the Imperial Archives, Atchew received a grant of 650 bighas of land, at a rent of Rs. 45 per annum to start a sugar mill and sugar plantation.

Young Atchew had 2000 mounds of sugar ready for sale by April 1782. This was supplemented with large quantities of local spirit popularly known as 'Arrack'. But his enterprise was stymied by a chronic problem of desertion of labour.

Another hindrance was the paucity of fund. Atchew took a loan from the East India Company and made an earnest endeavour to reshuffle his business and change his destiny but in vain. He died in 1783. Some time later, the Chinese entered the scenario of the city proper. Sixty-five years after Atchew's death, Colesworthy Grant observed that the twenty-five Chinese shoemakers of Kasaitala (Bentinck Street), 'manufacture shoes with much taste and at moderate charges.' He further noticed that all carpenters attached to our ships in the service of the country are Chinese. In matters of skill and ingenuity, the Chinese mechanics and artisans may claim precedence to all other Orientals. By the middle of the 19th century, the Chinese people in Calcutta, had earned a very good reputation as honest, sober, dexterous and hard working people. The only charge, if any, brought against them, was their serious addiction to smoking opium.

The Chinese influx continued in the imperial as well as the republican times. This preserved the ethnic integrity of the Chinese. Most of the Chinese families in Calcutta, arrived during the violent days of Kuomintang-rule. The 2nd World War and Mao's revolution also sent Chinese immigrants to Calcutta. At present, The number of Chinese in Calcutta constitute an odd 20,000. They form an overwhelming majority of the total Chinese population in India. A big chunk of the Chinese people in India are "Hakkas" or those who have been engaged in shoe-making and tanning. Then comes the "Cantonese" who are mostly carpenters and restaurateurs. The small "Shanghai" groups are owners of laundries.

The Chinese in Calcutta have become inextricably linked with the city's everyday life. They have formed a sort of 'little China' here, with dragon architecture, traditional temples, Chinese festoons, Chinese food, silk-production etc. The Calcuttans are very fond of Chinese food. The original China Town was in Central Calcutta covering Bentinck Street, Phears Lane and the surrounding regions of Rabindra Sarani. Multi-storeyed office complexes have cropped up in these places. A second Chinese pocket is at Tangra in East Calcutta. Here lies a tannery-zone owned by the Chinese. They have flourished over the years quite remarkably.

The Chinese cuisine is immensely popular among the gourmets of the city as is evident from the ever-increasing Chinese restaurants in Calcutta. Of late, the assiduous Chinese entrepreneurs have also explored the food-processing and pharmaceutical industries. They are manufacturing sea-food, pickles, sauces and many other rollicking dishes. A big chunk of the Chinese are now growing affluent in Calcutta.

Two Chinese newspapers are regularly published from Calcutta. They also run four schools and clubs like the old 'Chooney Thong' and the 'Chinese Tanners Forum', and thus contributed to the social life in Calcutta.

The Chinese celebrate their festivals with passion and fervour. The Chinese New Year, for example, is celebrated with lights, firecrackers, traditional music, dragon-dances etc. There is a unique blend of religions and doctrines in China Town as they observe and celebrate Durga Puja, Diwali, Christmas, Buddhism, Confucianism with equal gusto. An important part of their festival is the San Chu or whole pig with a curly tail which is completely roasted and served to the Gods on exquisite trays as a ritual.