Qiaowu: Extra-Territorial Policies for the Overseas Chinese

372 Pages·2014·7.39 MB·English

by  James Jiann Hua To

Qiaowu
Chinese Overseas
History, Literature, and Society
Chief Editor
Wang Gungwu
Subject Editors
Evelyn Hu-DeHart, David Der-wei Wang, Wong Siu-lun
Editorial Board
Ien Ang, Shirley Geok-lin Lim, Liu Hong, Frank Pieke,
Elizabeth Sinn, Jing Tsu
VOLUME 8
The titles published in this series are listed at brill.com/cho
Qiaowu
Extra-Territorial Policies for the Overseas Chinese
By
James Jiann Hua To
LEIDEN | BOSTON
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
To, James Jiann Hua.
 Qiaowu : extra-territorial policies for the overseas Chinese / by James Jiann Hua To.
  pages cm. — (Chinese overseas ; volume 8)
 Includes bibliographical references.
 ISBN 978-90-04-27227-9 (hardback : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-90-04-27228-6 (e-book) 1. Chinese—Foreign
countries—Government policy—China. 2. Chinese—Foreign countries—Government policy—Taiwan.
3. Chinese diaspora—Political aspects—China. 4. Chinese diaspora—Political aspects—Taiwan. I. Title.
 DS732.T6 2014
 305.895’1—dc23
2014007722
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isbn 978 90 04 27227 9 (hardback)
isbn 978 90 04 27228 6 (e-book)
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Contents
Preface  ix
Notes on the Romanization of Chinese Language  xi
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations  xii
1 Introduction  1
1.1 Diasporas and Transnational Loyalties  2
1.2 Diasporas and International Relations Theory  5
1.3 Introduction to the Extant Literature  9
1.4 Aims of This Book  12
1.5 Qiaowu and Foreign Relations  14
1.6 Qiaowu and Social Control  15
1.7 Methodology  18
1.8 Layout  21
2 Mobilizing the OC in the Twenty-First Century  23
2.1 Capitalizing on the Olympic Spirit  23
2.2 The 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests  26
2.3 The CCP’s Ideological Work and Influence on PRC Students  28
2.4 The 2008 Olympic Torch Rallies  31
2.5 Another Evolution in Qiaowu  34
2.6 Conclusion  36
3 Unveiling Qiaowu  37
3.1 The Role of the OC for the CCP-Led Party-State  37
3.2 Political Mobilization  39
3.3 Espionage  43
3.4 Unveiling Qiaowu  46
3.5 S ervice for the OC: Qiaowu Cadres and Their United Front
Duties  48
3.6 The CCP’s ‘Guiding Hand’  52
3.7 A Brief History of Qiaowu Organizational Structure  53
3.8 Origins of the PRC OC Qiaowu Bureaucracy  57
3.9 The “OC Problem”  59
3.10 Domestic Returned OC Work and Internal Chaos  62
3.11 The OC and Their Role in UF Work Abroad  65
3.12 Post-Revolution Qiaowu Policy  68
vi contents
3.13 P olitical Structure of the Qiaowu Administration in the
Contemporary Period  72
3.14 CCP Influence over Qiaowu Affairs  78
3.15 Qiaowu and Intra-Governmental Bureaucracy  81
3.16 Decentralization of Power in Qiaowu Operations  84
3.17 Qiaowu as a Political Opportunity Structure  87
3.18 Conclusion  88
4 Targets and Subjects of Qiaowu  90
4.1 ROC Definition of the OC  91
4.2 Taiwanization of ROC Qiaowu Operations  92
4.3 “Three Classifications”: The ROC’s Redefinition of Huaqiao  95
4.4 Damage Control  98
4.5 Name Changes  100
4.6 ROC OC Organs in the Contemporary Period  103
4.7 Rebuilding Links  105
4.8 PRC Definition of the OC  108
4.9 Distinguishing Huaqiao from Huaren  109
4.10 Xinqiao—Leading the Change in OC Demographics  114
4.11 Elite OC  115
4.12 Dual Nationality and the OC  121
4.13 Conclusion  124
5 Cultural Work: Reconstructing ‘Chineseness’  126
5.1 Theories of Ethnic Belonging  127
5.2 ‘Chineseness’  131
5.3 ROC Cultural and Educational Work  133
5.4 PRC Educational Work  136
5.5 PRC External OC Education  140
5.6 Confucius Institutes  141
5.7 Problems Regarding PRC OC Education  142
5.8 Challenging Alternative Forms of ‘Chineseness’  145
5.9 OC Church Work  149
5.10 Earthquake Diplomacy  151
5.11 Evaluation of Nationalism and the OC  152
5.12 Conclusion  156
6 Cultural Work: Reconnection  158
6.1 Active Reconnection: Tours and Root-Seeking  158
6.2 Xungen—Falling Leaves Return to Their Roots  161
contents vii
6.3 Building Links  163
6.4 ROC OC Youth Work  165
6.5 PRC OC Youth Work  168
6.6 Comparison of Youth Work  169
6.7 Development of Youth Work  171
6.8 Soft Power and the OC Media  173
6.9 Borrowing Ships to Go to Sea  176
6.10 Managing OC Reporters  181
6.11 New Technology: Television and Radio  183
6.12 Qiaowu and the Internet  185
6.13 Conclusion  189
7 External Work: Threats & Challenges  191
7.1 The OC as Threats to the CCP  192
7.2 The OC Pro-Democracy Movement  194
7.3 The Taiwanese Independence Movement  195
7.4 Falungong  196
7.5 T ibetan Buddhism and the Xinjiang Independence
Movement  197
7.6 Cooptation  200
7.7 We Are Family: “Grand Unification Nationalism”  205
7.8 China Embraces All OC: Winning Over the Moderates  207
7.9 Pre-Emptive Subversion  208
7.10 “Welcome In”  209
7.11 “Going Outside”  212
7.12 Transformation Work  215
7.13 Coercion  218
7.14 “Divide-and-Rule”  219
7.15 Diplomatic Pressure  221
7.16 Conclusion  225
8 External Work: Diplomatic Assistance  227
8.1 The PRC and Protection of the OC  227
8.2 1998 Indonesian Riots: A Turning Point in OC Affairs  232
8.3 ROC Protection for OC  235
8.4 Modern PRC Diplomatic Protection  239
8.5 The Limits of PRC Consular Assistance  245
8.6 The OC and Implications for PRC Foreign Policy  248
8.7 Conclusion  251
viii contents
9 The Future of Qiaowu  253
9.1 OC Trade, Investment, and Migration  254
9.2 I llegal Migration and Transnational Criminal Activity in the
Pacific  256
9.3 P assing on Responsibility for Migrant Behaviour and Illegal
Migration  258
9.4 PRC Views on Illegal Migration  261
9.5 “Unqualified” Chinese  263
9.6 Raising China’s Image: Getting Along Together  264
9.7 From “Three Knives” to “Six Masters”  269
9.8 “Old Friends”, “New Friends”  271
9.9 Capacity-Building  273
9.10 Conclusion  277
10 Conclusion  280
10.1 From Strength to Strength: The Evolution of Qiaowu  281
10.2 Consolidating Power and Eliminating Rivals  282
10.3 Implications for the World  283
10.4 Conclusion  285
 11 Bibliography  287
Index  348
Preface
This book is based upon my doctoral dissertation—the product of five years of inten-
sive research into a subject that is very close to my heart. It first began as a study
of finding my own identity as an ethnic Chinese person living in New Zealand. My
research then gradually took on a regional focus by examining case studies throughout
the Pacific. In the end, it evolved into an examination of the ramifications and impli-
cations of the connections between all Overseas Chinese (OC), China, and Taiwan in
an international context. Several of the examples cited come from my own firsthand
experience in the OC community and my participation in international OC organiza-
tions, but I attribute many of my findings to my vast network of family, friends, and
colleagues throughout New Zealand and around the world.
Some of the information in this book has been previously published—the major
examples being “Sino-Pacifica: Extra-Territorial Influence and the Overseas Chinese,”
in Looking North, Looking South: China, Taiwan & the South Pacific, edited by Anne-
Marie Brady (World Scientific, 2010); “Hand-in-Hand, Heart-to-Heart: Thought
Management and the Overseas Chinese,” in Thought Management: China’s Modernized
Propaganda Work, edited by Anne-Marie Brady (Routledge, 2012); and “Beijing’s
Policies for Managing Han and Ethnic Minority Chinese Communities Abroad” in
Journal of Current Chinese Affairs, Vol. 41, No. 4, 2012.
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and thank my primary supervisor Assoc. Prof.
Anne-Marie Brady. She has provided me with plenty of encouragement, construc-
tive comments, and criticism throughout my under and postgraduate years at the
University of Canterbury. She was instrumental in patiently guiding me through my
research methodology—particularly in finding my focus, highlighting the crucial
aspects of my topic, offering advice for accessing essential data, and giving me the
opportunities to present my research to a wider audience.
I also wish to thank my secondary supervisors: Assoc. Prof. John Henderson, who
introduced me to the topic of China in the Pacific, and has since provided useful advice
concerning my thesis presentation; and Assoc. Prof. Alex Tan, who offered inspiration
and ideas in the early days of my research—particularly with connecting me with
his contacts in Taiwan. It was a great privilege to study under the guidance of such a
knowledgeable supervisory team.
I also must thank both of my external examiners for my original dissertation
Prof Flemming Christiansen and Prof Mette Thuno, who provided me with valuable
feedback by identifying areas for improvement and clarification. I would also like to
thank the anonymous reviewer of my manuscript, who made many useful suggestions
which led to the final publication of my research.
x preface
I would like to make a special mention of thanks to Dr Bruce Harding. In addition to
proof-reading my manuscript, he also played an important role in developing my com-
munication skills as my English teacher at Christchurch Boys’ High School, for which
I will be eternally grateful.
My gratitude also go to Mrs Jill Dolby for helping me with many useful suggestions
pertaining to my original dissertation.
I am also grateful to those who kindly assisted my research through interviews and
correspondence. Without their input, this work would have been impossible to com-
plete. Of particular mention, I wish to thank the academics and qiaowu cadres who
provided me with vital primary and secondary source information during fieldwork in
Beijing and Guangzhou. I would also like to thank the many diplomats, experts, and
representatives of various organizations who placed their confidence in me by offer-
ing important information and interesting practical examples in a professional and
responsible manner.
Finally, I would like to make a special acknowledgement to the Poll Tax Heritage
Trust, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Asia New Zealand
Foundation, and the New Zealand Asia Studies Society for granting funding assistance
towards travel and accommodation expenses associated with the research.