Editorial: Political dynamics of ethnic Chinese in Southeast Asia: Participation and policy

Abstract

The political and economic landscape of Southeast Asia has long been shaped by the significant contributions of ethnic Chinese communities. Historically connected through extensive business and cultural networks, these communities, of approximately 30 million people, have played a pivotal role in the region's political and economic development. In attempts to study and understand the behaviors of these groups, the concept of bamboo network arose as a possible all-encompassing framework for interactions in Southeast Asia. Albeit its broader approach might facilitate general overviews and studies, it lacks specific consideration for unique aspects such as ethnic cleavages, the role of the state, or the societal realities that shaped the relationship between each group in their respective host societies and which make them unique in their own right. For instance, it can sometimes inadvertently overlook terminology aspects, such as the distinction between huáqiáo, an overseas Chinese citizen, or huáren, ethnic Chinese people who reside outside of China.