charlie, n.⁶ — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

charlie n.⁶

[the fictional Chinese detective Charlie Chan, created in 1925 by Earl Derr Biggers]

(US) a Chinese man.

1938		A.I. Bezzerides Long Haul 65: He walked to the Chinaman, ‘Hey, Charlie, what you know?’.
1964		T. Ronan Packhorse and Pearling Boat 27: Champagne Charlie was [...] Australian-born but Americanized Chinese, he was the only flash Chinaman I have ever known.