Online Workshop on Rising China and New Chinese Migrants in Southeast Asia

REGIONAL SOCIAL AND CULTURAL STUDIES PROGRAMME

About the Online Workshop

Since the period of rapid development in the People’s Republic of China after the reforms initiated by Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s,  the world is experiencing a new wave of Chinese migration. Loosely defined as Chinese people who are outside of China to conduct business, work, or study, or join their family overseas, these new Chinese migrants – also known as xinyimin – have had a profound impact on their host countries that are encountering a rising China. Their influence on local societies, economies, and politics is further complicated by Beijing’s dynamic policy towards the Chinese overseas in general and towards the xinyimin in particular.

This 4-part workshop seeks to explore China’s current thinking on the Chinese overseas and the impact of xinyimin in maritime and mainland Southeast Asia where these new Chinese migrants constitute a significant presence. Some topics that will be discussed include: China’s relationship with the xinyimin, xinyimins’ relationships and interactions with the local Chinese and “indigenous” population; the impacts of xinyimin and China’s soft power on local society, local culture and economy; and how the growing presence of xinyimin will affect the relationship between China and nation states, as well as the nation-building process in these countries. These topics throw light on the nature of new Chinese migration, and the implications of Southeast Asia’s relations and local ethnic politics with a China that is undergoing deep social and economic changes.

This workshop is supported by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.

Download the programme here.

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Registration

This webinar series will be delivered online entirely. You can join the webinars at the specified date and time using devices (computer, phone, or tablet) with internet connection.

Please register for each session to receive your unique link for joining the webinars. Limited spaces only, register early to avoid disappointment.

To join the webinar,

1. Install the Zoom client onto your computer or download the app on your mobile device.
2. Set up a Zoom account, using the following link: https://zoom.us/signup
3. Click on the unique link in your email.

For the best experience, please mute your microphone. If you have questions for the speakers, please key in your questions via the Q&A feature, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speakers during the Q&A session.

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Webinar 1

Understanding China’s New Migrants and the Politics of Chinese Language in Southeast Asia

Monday, 7 December 2020
9.00am – 10.30am (Singapore time)

Read the event highlight here.

Who are the xinyimin, and how are they different from their predecessors? How do their impacts differ from previous generations of Chinese migrants, especially against the backdrop of a rising China? What is Beijing’s policy towards the Chinese overseas in general and towards xinyimin in particular? Starting this discussion on rising China and China’s new migrants will be Professor Leo Suryadinata (ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute), who will be sharing his work on the rise of China and xinyimin in maritime Southeast Asia. Dr Neo Peng Fu (Confucius Institute, Nanyang Technological University) will speak about the Confucius Institutes and the teaching of Mandarin in Southeast Asia.

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Webinar 2

Challenges and Opportunities of New Chinese Migrants and Investments in Southeast Asia

Monday, 7 December 2020
3.00pm – 4.30pm (Singapore time)

Read the event highlight here.

Local’s perceptions of xinyimin have been varied across Southeast Asian countries. While some view xinyimin as economic competition and a source for social and cultural friction, others see xinyimin and the related Chinese investment as an economic opportunity. Zooming in on such local perceptions of xinyimin, Ms Teresita Ang-See (Kaisa Para Sa Kunlaran) will expound on the issues and challenges of xinyimin in the Philippines, Dr Johanes Herlijanto (University of Pelita Harapan) will speak on the Pribumi elites’ perceptions of new Chinese migrants in Indonesia, while Dr Vannarith Chheang (ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute) will explore the Cambodian view of Chinese language and China.

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Webinar 3

Nationalism, National Sovereignty, and the Presence of Xinyimin in Southeast Asia

Tuesday, 8 December 2020
9.00am – 10.30am (Singapore time)

Read the event highlight here.

As new Chinese migrants enter and engage with host societies, there have been understandable concerns as to how their activities can affect the social fabric and economic landscape of host countries. There are also questions of how the growing presence of xinyimin will affect the relationship between China and nation states, as well as the nation-building process in these countries. Joining us on the second day to explore such impacts of the xinyimin will be Professor Danny Wong Tze Ken (University of Malaya), who will present on the topic: The Xinyimin Presence in Malaysia: A New Transnational Experience. Dr Tan Teng Phee (former curator, Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall) will share about the impacts of xinyimin in Singapore, while Dr Andrew Ong (ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute), will explore the entrepreneurial excursions of Chinese migrants in Myanmar.

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Webinar 4

Chinese Culture and China’s Soft Power in Maritime Southeast Asia

Tuesday, 8 December 2020
3.00pm – 4.30pm (Singapore time)

Read the event highlight here.

Unlike previous migrants whose stay was more assimilative and permanent in nature, the current xinyimin are generally more educated and possess greater economic means, and therefore have greater geographical mobility to move out of Southeast Asia or even return to China. As a result, many xinyimin  retain distinct identities, and form communities that maintain close links to China. New Chinese culture has also been introduced to Southeast Asia via these xinyimin and through cultural and educational institutions. Moving our attention to China’s soft power in maritime Southeast Asia, Professor Lourdes M. Tanhueco-Nepomuceno (Confucius Institute, University of the Philippines) will expound on the Confucius Institutes in the Philippines as a form of China’s Educational Diplomacy, while Dr Peter Chang (Institute of China Studies, University of Malaya) will examine xinyimin presence in Malaysia via the Confucius Institute and Xiamen University. Dr Ho Yi Kai (Confucius Institute, Nanyang Technological University), will round off the webinar with his comparison on China’s cultural centre and Singapore’s Chinese cultural centre.