Chinatown, Europe: An Exploration of Overseas Chinese Identity in the 1990s

by Christiansen; FLEMMING

• ISBN13: 9780700710720
• ISBN10: 0700710728
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-07-23
• Publisher: RoutledgeCurzon

Summary

This book paints the situation of the European overseas Chinese in strong colours. The almost one million Chinese in Europe are conventionally regarded as 'silent immigrants' and depicted as introvert and culturally hidebound. As a result, this complex and fascinating community with its multiple origins, its difficult relations with China, its history of hardship and heavy toil and its colourful leaders has been overlooked. What hides behind westerners' stereotypes?

Author Biography

Flemming Christiansen teaches Chinese Studies at the University of Leeds.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Introduction	1	(2)
Background	3	(4)
European Chinese identity in the 1990s	7	(30)
Blood descent, nationality and nationalism	7	(5)
Concepts of ethnic and sub-ethnic identity	12	(4)
Sub-ethnic divisions: sub-ethnic identity?	16	(5)
Primordialism and instrumentalism: assimilation, integration, exclusion	21	(3)
The structuring influence of the European states on the Chinese communities	24	(6)
Playing the minority rights card	30	(2)
The ethnic triangle: `community', `home', and `host'	32	(1)
China's national minorities and the overseas Chinese in Europe	33	(3)
Forging overseas Chinese identity in Europe	36	(1)
Chinese migration to Europe	37	(30)
Myths	37	(3)
Waves	40	(9)
Cases	49	(15)
Amnesties	64	(3)
Chinatown, Europe	67	(19)
Centres of community-building	67	(9)
Having or not having a Chinatown	76	(3)
Building an arch	79	(6)
Ethnic symbol	85	(1)
Formation of sub-ethnic identities: Siyi and Qingtian	86	(28)
The Siyinese in Europe	86	(14)
The Qingtianese in Europe	100	(12)
Sub-ethnic divisions in flux	112	(2)
Ethnic politics: European Chinese organisations and their leaders	114	(13)
Organisational diversity	114	(4)
Interlocking leaderships	118	(5)
The overseas Chinese and Europe	123	(4)
European Chinese and Chinese patriotism	127	(20)
Policies towards overseas Chinese compatriots: the Mainland	128	(11)
Policies towards overseas Chinese: Taiwan	139	(5)
Patriotism, nationalism and ethnic identity	144	(3)
Chinese business, ethnic business	147	(26)
Culture: a gloss on reality?	148	(2)
Immigrant community: economic constraints	150	(6)
Catering as an immigrant sector	156	(5)
The `dog meat scandal' in Germany	161	(4)
China as a trade emblem	165	(4)
Chinese business as an exception?	169	(2)
Absorption into the economic mainstream	171	(2)
Conclusion: construction of a European Chinese identity?	173	(7)
Identity	173	(3)
European Chinese?	176	(1)
Approaches	177	(3)
Notes	180	(8)
Bibliography	188	(8)
Index	196