Too Successful for Their Own Good? Chinese are Target in SI Riots

Above: Chinese refugees in the Solomon Islands.


Once again, ethnic Chinese are the target of looting and burning, this time in the South Pacific country of Soloman Islands. In previous years, the Chinese were targets of similar attacks in Indonesia, Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Are the Chinese too successful for their own good? Overseas Chinese in Asia tend to be successful merchants who often control signifcant wealth in the countries they live. They also tend to keep to themselves and not socially mingle with the native populations. These factors often lead to ill-feeling among the natives who, in times of economic crises, resort to looting and burning Chinese properties.

The key is communication. The Chinese minority needs to integrate more closely into local life. They cannot be aloof vis-a-vis the locals. And the local populations need to forgo discriminatory practices and laws against the Chinese who contribute significantly to their national economic and intellectual lives.

Examples of highly successful Chinese-local integration can be found in the United States, Canada and Australia. In these instances, the pre-conditions noted above have helped to strengthen and energize collaborations between the two groups.