According to BBC news online, Chinese South Africans are to be reclassified as black people, as ruled by the High Court in South Africa.

The order was made to allow ethnic Chinese the benefit from government policies that are aimed at the end of white domination in the private sector of South Africa. An estimate reports that there are 200,000 ethnic Chinese presently living in South Africa. The Chinese Association of South Africa was the one who took the issue on, taking the government to court. The association claimed that it's members were being discriminated against.

A study was reported last month that revealed that "white South Africans still earn around 450% more than their black counterparts, 14 years after the end of apartheid." (http://news.bbc.co.uk)

Because the members were regarded as whites, they failed to qualify for various career options and developments such as business contracts or job promotions Even during the apartheid, the Chinese South Africans had to face widespread discrimination. They had been classified as people of mixed race. Under apartheid, they were generally regarded as "colored," though today, Chinese staff are regarded as white.

Certain laws apply in South Africa under the Broad-Based Economic Empowerment and Equity Acts that are set in place in order to terminate the legacy of apartheid which has left many black people in poverty.

These laws grant certain racial groups employment and economic benefits. They benefit those who are classed as blacks, Indians and coloreds or mixed-race, in comparison to other racial groups. This whole Black Economic Employment concept had begun with the ANC as they wanted to aid previously disadvantaged individuals. One of their greatest aims is to address historic inequalities. The individuals are encouraged and helped with entrepreneurship or employment.

However, many Chinese have been refused opportunities to buy shares, or to remit deserved profits from company investments.