In this webinar, experts discussed how China’s rise as a major economic and political actor has affected societies in Southeast Asia, and local perceptions of a rising China and its new migrants across Southeast Asia.
REGIONAL SOCIAL AND CULTURAL STUDIES PROGRAMME
Online Workshop on Rising China and New Chinese Migrants in Southeast Asia
Monday, 7 December 2020 – The ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, with support from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, held a webinar titled “Challenges and Opportunities of New Chinese Migrants and Investments in Southeast Asia” as part of a 4-part workshop series on “Rising China and New Chinese Migrants in Southeast Asia”. The webinar explored the varied local’s perceptions of xinyimin (new migrants) across Southeast Asian countries such as Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia. Moderated by Dr Siwage Dharma Negara (ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute), the webinar featured the insights of Ms Teresita Ang-See (Kaisa Para Sa Kunlaran), Dr Johanes Herlijanto (University of Pelita Harapan) and Dr Vannarith Chheang (ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute).
Ms Ang-See expounded on the issues and challenges of xinyimin in the Philippines. With the increase in visible signs of Chinese presence in parts of Philippines (e.g., arches installed to mark Chinatown, proliferation of Chinese speciality stores), Ms Ang-See noted that there has also been an increase in xenophobia and anxiety among Philippine citizens. She observed several factors which had contribute to this issue, ranging from corruption of government officials to misrepresentation by politicians and media sensationalism. Ms Ang-See opined that while new migrants should be welcomed for their investments and boosting the tourism industry, the rise in illegal activities such as online gambling, human trafficking and drug use associated with the new Chinese should be addressed. This, she believed, will be pertinent to protect the image of China and reduce the problems faced by the local ethnic Chinese. She also advised the Chinese government to be able to distinguish between its own citizens overseas and the local Chinese when tapping on the resource, wealth and skills of the Chinese overseas.
Dr Herlijanto spoke on the elites’ perceptions of new Chinese migrants in Indonesia. He said that bilateral relations were enhanced post-2000. During President Yudhoyono’s term, strategic partnerships were signed and there was an increase in not only Chinese economic investments into Indonesia, but also increase in cultural exchange through the setting up of Chinese language institutes. Dr Herlijanto said that that negative attitudes towards the new Chinese migrants began after launch of the Belt and Road initiative in 2013 which saw an increase in number of migrants who worked for Chinese companies. These new migrants were perceived as competition for Indonesian workers. Dr Herlijanto shared that Indonesian elites harboured suspicions that the new migrants were military personnel seeking to infiltrate Indonesia. Additionally, there were concerns about potential demographic changes with the rise in the number of new migrants. Dr Herlijanto said that the stance of the government has been taken on reassurance overtones –– that the Chinese new migrants were not a threat to the Indonesian economy or sovereignty. Dr Herlijanto pointed out that the perception of Chinese new migrants among Indonesian elites (and the public to an extent) were far more negative during President Jokowi’s term compared to President Yudhoyono’s term.
Finally, Dr Chheang explored the Cambodian view of China and the Chinese language. He argued that language has been a key source of China’s soft power in the country. Based on his survey conducted on Cambodians who have learned the Chinese language, Dr Chheang found that the driving forces of learning Chinese were familial relations, personal interest, and the usefulness of the language for employment and business opportunities. The survey respondents’ perception of new Chinese migration was both positive and negative. On the positive front, they stated contribution to local economy and prospects for economic investment. However, the negative results include local perceptions that the new migrants did not know much about Cambodian culture and there was also concern about Chinese investment contributing to adverse impacts through the gambling industry or social and environmental degradation. Dr Chheang also shared other results from the survey regarding the respondents’ perception towards the Chinese government and the state of bilateral relations between China and Cambodia.
The webinar concluded with an engaging Question and Answer session. Audience members asked the speakers about the public discourse regarding the Confucius Institutes in Cambodia, the degree of integration of the Chinese in the Philippines and effects of the Belt and Road Initiative across Mainland Southeast Asia.