Philippine E-Journals

Anti-Chinese Movements in Southeast Asia since World War II: A Preliminary Survey

Zhou Nanjing

 

Abstract:

Anti-Chinese sentiment is a fact in Southeast Asian history. Incited by the so-called “Chinese problem,” it took the forms of physical abuse and discriminatory legislation aimed against Chinese populations by the natives and host governments, except in Singapore where the Chinese constituted the majority. Although much of such sentiment has mellowed through the years, its continued presence has prevented the host countries from appreciating gains which the Overseas Chinese, given the chance, could do to help develop Southeast Asia.