A popular Sydney beach has become the focus of heated debate after calls to change its name.
Chinaman Beach in the affluent Mosman area has long been the centre of debate over the use of the “racist and derogatory” term Chinaman.
Second-generation Chinese Australian Osmond Chiu decided to change the name of the beach. He said the word was disrespectful and was often used as a racial slur.
“The term ‘Chinese’ is derogatory and is primarily used as a racial slur against people of Chinese or East Asian appearance,” Chiu said in a press release. Two seasons group.
“It’s shocking that there is a place called ‘Chinamans Beach’ in the city where I was born and raised as if there is nothing wrong with it.
There are calls to change the name of Chinamans Beach in Mosman.
“We would not call any place or even refer to any person today as ‘Chinese,’ which says a lot about the term.”
Located at the northern end of Mosman, one of Sydney’s most exclusive residential areas, the beach stretches over 250 metres of sand.
It was linked to the nearby market gardens which were run by people from the Chinese community during the 19th century.
according to SBSRecords from the New South Wales Geographical Names Board show that a man named Cho Hai Teck leased the land and created the market gardens against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour.
The popular beach is located in the affluent Mosman area of Sydney’s Lower North Shore. Photo: TikTok
This is the person Mr. Chiu suggests naming the beach after, instead of its current name.
“While it may be uncomfortable for some people, it is about having an open and honest discussion about the term. [Chinaman] “And its history,” he added.
However, University of Sydney senior history lecturer Sophie Lowe-Wilson has a different theory about how Chinamans Beach got its name.
I told SBS Vision The hotspot was previously called Rocherville Beach before being renamed in 1977, adding that the change reflects Chinese fishermen who like to go fishing in the surrounding areas.
“Before the advent of refrigeration, Chinese fishermen were very important in Australia because they understood how to process, smoke and preserve fish,” she said.
The push to change the name has been an ongoing battle.
Last year, Western Australia Labor MP Pierre Young addressed state parliament calling for change, pointing out that there were 26 places across Western Australia with the word “Chinaman” in their names.
These include Chinaman Bridge and Chinaman Well in York County, Chinaman Basin and Chinaman Wells in Ashburton County, and Chinaman Creek, Chinaman Springs and Chinaman Well in East Kimberley County.
The term “Chinese” is said to be “racist and derogatory.”
It is among more than 300 sites across Australia, with New South Wales accounting for the largest number with 83, followed by Victoria with 58.
Mr. Yang, who is of Chinese descent, told the Legislative Council in June 2023 that the word “Chinaman” is “a racist, derogatory and inherently derogatory term.”
“In 21st century multicultural Australia and multicultural Western Australia, that word is no longer acceptable, which is why we don’t hear that word very often,” he said.
“Well, that’s the case until you look at a map of Western Australia. Mr. President, there are 26 places in Western Australia where you hear the word Chinaman in their names,” he said at the time, according to a B C.
However, not everyone agrees with this view, as many defend the current name, including locals of Chinese origin.
“In my opinion, there is nothing racist about this place – no negative connotations. It is a beautiful beach named after beautiful people – no drama,” one person wrote on Instagram.
“It’s getting more ridiculous as time goes on! What do we need to change and deny from the past? It’s a beautiful beach. Why would it offend anyone?” wrote another.
Others have pointed to Frenchman’s Beach in La Perouse and Dutchman’s Beach in Port Stephens.
“I’m Dutch and I love it!” said one person.
One local said he was a second-generation Chinese Australian and the name “doesn’t offend me”.
“In fact, I currently live in Singapore on a street called Cantonment Road – which means the same damn thing. We need to own and accept our history, good or bad. And stop trying to rewrite it,” he added.
A local resident of Chinese origin also begged not to change it.
“I’m of Chinese descent and I don’t find anything offensive about that.”
But not everyone was of the same opinion, including radio and TV presenter Matt Paisley.
“Wow. The ignorance in the comments is astonishing. Of course the name should be changed. How does changing the name of the beach hurt you?” he said.
A Mosman Council spokesperson told news.com.au that naming places and locations is a matter for the NSW Geographical Names Board (GNB).
“The council is not aware of any future plans for renaming,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it has not received any proposal to rename or double-name Chinamans Beach.
However, in 2017, the GNB received an inquiry from a member of the public stating that the name of the beach was offensive and suggested that the former name of Rocherville Beach be given to it.
News.com.au understands the council has contacted Mosman Council for advice, including details of the origin of the name and whether the name is considered offensive by the local community.
The GNB Board considered the Board’s response, which, according to the Board, confirmed that there was a historical connection between the name and the Chinese community in the area, and that the Board preferred to use the name Chinamans Beach.
News.com.au understands that GNB has decided to retain the name and update the origin information in the Geographical Names Register.
