This book focuses on China's foreign relations with Southeast Asia, with special reference to the ethnic and political dimensions. It deals with the reactions of Southeast Asian governments, especially those of ASEAN, to China's foreign policy; in general, and towards its ethnic Chinese policy; in particular. The position of the 'Overseas Chinese' in the foreign policy of the People's Republic of China and conventional linkages between China and the 'Overseas Chinese' are also examined. In addition, China-ASEAN relations are analysed in order to identify the factors influencing these relations. Important statements, regulations; and treaties regarding China and the ethnic Chinese in Southeast Asia are also included. READERSHIP: Administrators, politicians, ethnologists and those interested in politics, international relations and Ethnic Studies.

The bibliographical essays on the studies of the ethnic Chinese in the ASEAN states will be extremely useful as it is the first monograph of its kind and also up-to-date. It begins with a general overview on the studies of the ethnic Chinese in the ASEAN states, and is followed by five country studies and two essays on specific topics. All essays in this volume were written by specialists.

Modern nation states do not constitute closed entities. This is true especially in Southeast Asia, where Chinese migrants have continued to make their new homes over a long period of time, resulting in many different ethnic groups co-existing in new nation states. Focusing on the consequences of migration, and cultural contact between the various ethnic groups, this book describes and analyses the nature of ethnic identity and state of ethnic relations, both historically and in the present day, in multi-ethnic, pluralistic nation states in Southeast Asia. Drawing on extensive primary fieldwork in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Burma, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines, the book examines the mediations, and transformation of ethnic identity and the social incorporation, tensions and conflicts and the construction of new social worlds resulting from cultural contact among different ethnic groups.

The nineteen articles in this volume examine the ethnic Chinese in Singapore, presenting a fascinating cross-country comparison between the past and the present. While some issues address the issues of tradition and modernity, others trace the process of change, especially economic, social and cultural change in terms of ethnic Chinese society, politics, identity, business and literature in these two countries.

About 80 percent of the ethnic Chinese outside China live in Southeast Asia. This book examines that community in the context of both national and international dimensions.

This volume consists of 12 chapters that aim to provide a deeper understanding of the implications of China's emerging influence on the world stage to Southeast Asia, and in particular Malaysia, from various perspectives ranging from the political, economic to the cultural.