The Overseas Chinese Capitalist Diaspora

Measured in terms of growth in trade and foreign capital investment, China’s outward economic reorientation during the 20 years of reform has been quite successful. The ‘success’, however, cannot be adequately understood unless it is viewed in the context of Asia as a region. The overseas Chinese capitalist diaspora, particularly Hong Kong and increasingly Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese businesses located throughout East and Southeast Asia, have been important in the process.1 Moreover, the Asian economy has evolved into a structure which is favourable for the economic integration of China into the region.