"Overseas Chinese" in Southeast Asia and China's Foreign Policy: An Interpretive Essay

With the recent Sino-Vietnamese conflict over the 'Overseas Chinese', the problem of ethnic Chinese in Southeast Asia once again attracted the attention of the world. Questions are raised as to whether or not Peking has introduced a new policy to act as the protector of the interests of the 'Overseas Chinese'. This examines the position of the 'Overseas Chinese' in the People republic of China's foreign policy from 1949 to the present time and conventional notion of the linkages between China and the 'Overseas Chinese'. Moreover, it discusses the ethnic Chinese scene in Southeast Asia and ASEAN countries' reactions to China's recent foreign relations.