With the rise of China and massive new migrations, China has adjusted its policy towards the Chinese overseas in Southeast Asia and beyond. This book deals with Beijing's policy which has been a response to the external events involving the Chinese overseas as well as the internal needs of China. It appears that a rising China considers the Chinese overseas as a source of socio-political and economic capital and would extend its protection to them whenever this is not in conflict with its core national interest. The impacts on and the responses of the relevant countries, especially those in Southeast Asia, are also examined.


Leo Suryadinata, Ph.D., is currently visiting senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, and professor (Adj.), S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University (NTU).