Dual-facing bridges and brokers: Diaspora politics and Chinese voluntary associations

Dual-facing bridges and brokers: Diaspora politics and Chinese voluntary associations

January 30, 2025

Chinese voluntary associations have been established since the 19th century in countries outside of China due to the diaspora of Chinese individuals across Asia. This phenomenon brings about complex tensions among state, society, and migrant interactions on a transnational scale. It also challenges the legal and emotional belonging of these individuals, particularly in light of China’s growing geopolitical influence worldwide. In ‘Dual-facing Bridges and Brokers: Diaspora Politics and Chinese Voluntary Associations’ (Asia Pacific Viewpoint, 2023), Professor Elaine Lynn-Ee Ho (NUS Geography) describes the orientation of such associations in Singapore and Myanmar as ‘dual facing’. This term encapsulates how these associations navigate the challenges and opportunities of maintaining connections with both their ancestral land, China, and their new home countries.

Through a decade-long fieldwork involving interviews and ethnographic observations of Chinese voluntary associations in various countries, Prof Ho found that these organisations are deeply embedded in the nation-building efforts of both their countries of settlement and China. For instance, Chinese entrepreneurs in Singapore have brokered key economic and political relations between Singapore and China, fostering a strong bilateral relationship. Similarly, voluntary associations in Myanmar have forged links with local Burmese elites, enhancing economic and cultural ties between China and Myanmar. However, this dual-facing orientation has also led to tensions. Some associations have been suspected of acting on behalf of the Chinese government to influence politics and governance in foreign countries. Many individuals in these organisations profess to prioritising their Chinese ethnic and national identity, preferring to anchor their roots in China.

In summary, these foreign Chinese voluntary organisations exemplify ‘diaspora diplomacy’, bridging key transnational ties between China and other countries. Yet, their dual-facing roles can embroil them in domestic conflicts and create political uncertainties. Prof Ho calls for a deeper understanding of these organisations’ demands, especially given China’s growing global influence, to renew trust and strengthen relationships in the future.

Read the article here.

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