[LINK] The Chinese in Fiji
Dec. 12th, 2005 02:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rfmcdonaldAntipodean correspondent Errol C. was kind enough to send me links to a few interesting articles in the New Zealand Herald. Fiji, along with its smaller South Pacific island neighbours, has become a theatre for the ongoing Chinese/Taiwanese competition for recognition. Taiwan, hoping to acquire full diplomatic recognition, has developed a minor tradition of purchasing said recognition from smaller and poorer states. Now that China's economic boom has given it a certain amount of extra cash, it is following suit. Perhaps more substantively, Chinese influence in the South Pacific is growing, via trade and--as illustrated by Angela Gregory's article "Changing fortunes in new homeland"--via immigration.
The irony of the whole affair is that the Chinese of Fiji, a small and prosperous minority, have received so much more official welcome than the much larger Indian community of Fiji, beset by state oppression and Fijian ethnic nationalism such that young Fijians of Indian background are being raised to consider mass emigration the only way out. The Chinese are new, though; they have yet to wear out their welcome.
The Chinese community this year celebrated its 150th anniversary in Fiji, a presence they proudly say even precedes the Indian migrants.
Dixon Seeto, president of the Chinese Association of Fiji, says the first Chinese came by boat from Australia as part of the gold rush.
Later they arrived as merchants, and began harvesting natural resources such as sandalwood and sea cucumbers, the latter a Chinese delicacy. Seeto says many ventured into rural areas, setting up trading businesses, often marrying indigenous Fijians.
The three days of celebrations in September included cultural performances, a family day, banquets and a souvenir magazine.
Seeto says there are about 6000 Chinese in Fiji and many are now business owners or professionals such as lawyers and accountants.
The irony of the whole affair is that the Chinese of Fiji, a small and prosperous minority, have received so much more official welcome than the much larger Indian community of Fiji, beset by state oppression and Fijian ethnic nationalism such that young Fijians of Indian background are being raised to consider mass emigration the only way out. The Chinese are new, though; they have yet to wear out their welcome.
