In two between‐participants experiments (Ns = 216 and 260), Chinese in Singapore rated competence and attractiveness of strangers described (a) by cross‐categorizations of race (Malay: out‐group vs. Chinese: in‐group) and nationality (Malaysian: out‐group vs. Singaporean: in‐group), (b) by simple categorization of either race or nationality, and (c) by no‐group label. An additive effect of cross‐categorizations was obtained: Both the race and nationality categorizations produced main effects but no interaction effect. Analyses of variance of the simple and cross‐categorization data together also retained the additive effect as predicted by the adding rule. However, the higher ratings of the in‐group than of the out‐group in both the simple and cross‐categorization conditions were based on an out‐group derogation instead of an in‐group bias. Explanations of the out‐group derogation and suggestions for additional work on the cross‐categorization effects are discussed.