I have been reading a book (making really slow headway, though) titled When China Rules the World: The End of the Western World and the Birth of a New Global Order: Second Edition
by Martin Jacques. In it, he discussed the view that China used to view the Chinese diaspora (people who left China) in less than favorable light. In this post, I hope to add a bit of my view on this.
Yes, I think it is not hard to see why China, back in the old days (Imperial China), would see those who left its system as "deserters". After all, China was the embodiment of civilization, and to leave China meant to go join the barbarians. It is to leave the light for the dark. For Star Wars fans, it was really like joining the Dark side.
But back in those days, Chinese migration out of China was quite limited too. People who left China usually fell into two broad categories: those in trouble with the system (i.e. outlaws who needed to escape) and merchants seeking greater profits. The first category is obviously one which China is not going to welcome back. The second category probably did not enjoy a very good reputation back in Imperial China, since merchants are quite low in the Confucian order of society, and all the more so for those out to seek profits for their own selfish needs.
But Chinese migration in the late 19th century into the first half of the 20th century was fundamentally different. People left Imperial China not to escape the law or to seek selfish profits. Rather, they left to seek survival, better times at a time when conditions in China could not support them. In a way, they left because they had no choice. And thus, I think that is why modern China's attitudes toward the Chinese diaspora is different compared to the attitudes of Imperial China. It is why China today shows a willingness to work with overseas Chinese, and even welcome them back to China. Instead of being outlaws and selfish merchants, they are seen as family forced to seek refuge overseas during turbulent times, family which can now contribute again back to the bigger extended family of China and Chinese society.
This change in attitude is likely to affect the way China views immigration going forward. We already see a wave of Chinese migration into Africa. Once China starts to view the Chinese diaspora as an asset, and given China's continued economic rise, we can expect migration patterns to change, and the corresponding change in the attitudes of overseas Chinese toward mainland China.
The book has proven to be a good read so far. You can also check out the TED talk by Martin Jacques about understanding the rise of China:
Note: post includes associate links to Amazon.com.
by Martin Jacques. In it, he discussed the view that China used to view the Chinese diaspora (people who left China) in less than favorable light. In this post, I hope to add a bit of my view on this.Yes, I think it is not hard to see why China, back in the old days (Imperial China), would see those who left its system as "deserters". After all, China was the embodiment of civilization, and to leave China meant to go join the barbarians. It is to leave the light for the dark. For Star Wars fans, it was really like joining the Dark side.
But back in those days, Chinese migration out of China was quite limited too. People who left China usually fell into two broad categories: those in trouble with the system (i.e. outlaws who needed to escape) and merchants seeking greater profits. The first category is obviously one which China is not going to welcome back. The second category probably did not enjoy a very good reputation back in Imperial China, since merchants are quite low in the Confucian order of society, and all the more so for those out to seek profits for their own selfish needs.
But Chinese migration in the late 19th century into the first half of the 20th century was fundamentally different. People left Imperial China not to escape the law or to seek selfish profits. Rather, they left to seek survival, better times at a time when conditions in China could not support them. In a way, they left because they had no choice. And thus, I think that is why modern China's attitudes toward the Chinese diaspora is different compared to the attitudes of Imperial China. It is why China today shows a willingness to work with overseas Chinese, and even welcome them back to China. Instead of being outlaws and selfish merchants, they are seen as family forced to seek refuge overseas during turbulent times, family which can now contribute again back to the bigger extended family of China and Chinese society.
This change in attitude is likely to affect the way China views immigration going forward. We already see a wave of Chinese migration into Africa. Once China starts to view the Chinese diaspora as an asset, and given China's continued economic rise, we can expect migration patterns to change, and the corresponding change in the attitudes of overseas Chinese toward mainland China.
The book has proven to be a good read so far. You can also check out the TED talk by Martin Jacques about understanding the rise of China:
Note: post includes associate links to Amazon.com.
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