Overseas Chinese, the Catalyst for the Chinese Economic Sphere

Abstract

The latent energy and potential of the Chinese economy have been thrust into the limelight as the world turns its eyes toward Asia. What has taken the world by surprise at the same time, however, is the power of Chinese nationals scattered around the globe. Though they have different residences and nationalities, overseas Chinese are exerting overwhelming economic power through the so-called ‘China networks’ based on a sense of belonging and common experience. They dominate the South-east Asian economies, in particular, and on the basis of that are even exerting strong political power there.