Is that right? All the famous Chinese people I can think of are known in english by the family name first. Names of Chinese players of chess are always family-given in english.

I read after a moment's google that "Chinese people working in western countries usually adopt western order", maybe that's it.

Indian names I believe are similar, family or parent's name comes first[0], e.g. the ex-chess world champion Vishy Anand's name is Viswanathan Anand – Anand was/is actually his given name, but it's treated by english speakers as his surname. I read an interview where he said even he doesn't know any more which is his surname and which his first name hehe.

[0] Same in Hungarian, but always converted to given-family in english.