The Kaifeng Jews, an old group descended from Persian and Indian Silk Road traders who landed in the Song Dynasty (960–1279), are the main group referred to as Chinese Jews. Because there hasn't been much antisemitism in the area historically, they have successfully assimilated into Chinese society over the ages.

Today, roughly 500 to 1,000 persons in the city of Kaifeng identify as having Jewish lineage. However, the community has mostly disappeared into Han Chinese society after centuries of seclusion from the worldwide diaspora, significant assimilation, and current government prohibitions on unregistered religious rituals.

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In 1163, the Kaifeng Jews constructed a synagogue using traditional Chinese design. Their historical Chinese moniker, Tiaojinjiao (the religion), comes from their rigid observance of the Sabbath, circumcision, and dietary rules (such as eliminating the sciatic nerve). Jews were readily assimilated into Chinese society since there was no history of antisemitism in China. Minority communities were forced to intermarry with Han Chinese during the Ming Dynasty, and many learned Confucian classics to pass the imperial civil service exams.

The community flourished during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and developed to over 2,500 individuals after settling in Kaifeng, one of China's historic capitals, during the Northern Song period.

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The synagogue collapsed when the community's final rabbi died in 1810 and due to the terrible Yellow River floods. Judaism is not one of the five official religions in China. The Kaifeng descendants are now under surveillance by authorities, who frequently forbid overt Jewish rites and remove heritage signs, forcing the community to conceal their identity. The status of the Kaifeng community is still debatable under traditional Jewish law, even if some of their descendants have made legal conversions in order to emigrate to Israel.

Students and expatriate communities make up the majority of contemporary Jewish life in China, aside from the old Kaifeng community. Synagogues and cultural institutions backed by groups like the World Jewish Congress can be found in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Additionally, the city is famous for serving as a safe haven for tens of thousands of European Jews fleeing the Holocaust during World War II.

​There are around 3,000 Jewish people living in China today. The population largely consists of expatriates, diplomats, and students residing in major business and metropolitan hubs like Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong. 

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