Historically, the main role of Chinese clan associations, hometown organizations of overseas Chinese in Chinatowns around the world, has been to provide mutual assistance to immigrants, including livelihood and welfare support. Following the Second World War, Southeast Asian countries with overseas Chinese associations gained independence from their sovereign states. As these countries achieved economic development, the activities of overseas Chinese associations evolved from traditional mutual assistance to the transmission of Chinese culture and traditions, as well as the preservation of dialects and cultural activities of members. To assess the importance of overseas Chinese associations in modern society, this study conducted semi-structured interviews with the managers of two such associations in Singapore. The interviews focused on the history and activities of the associations.　
The results showed that the Chinese clan associations have maintained cultural links with China in their areas of origin and have supported the livelihoods of local overseas Chinese. The study revealed that the Huaqiao-Kaikan's activities do not focus on the pre-existing networks of overseas Chinese in different parts of the world, but rather on their individual activities both domestically and internationally. Therefore, future research on overseas Chinese and Chinese people should take this into consideration. 1) the overseas Chinese policy of the country of affiliation; 2) the position of overseas Chinese associations in the society of the country of affiliation; 3) the external network status of overseas Chinese associations; 4) the network status of individuals who use overseas Chinese associations; 5) the status of the networks of individuals who use overseas Chinese associations.

Authors:
Yuki Yokohama, Kanto Gakuin University, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Yuki Yokohama is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at Kanto Gakuin University in Japan

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

Bookmark