Who are you on foreign soils?
B for Bewater(13 Jun) Two years ago, we visited an old temple in Japan. At the entrance, we saw an notice that was written in simplified Chinese with a somewhat irritated message that goes like this, ‘we treat you with courtesy, and please treat us the same'.
We were at ease because we knew from the bottom of our heart, that this was not meant for us, who read and use traditional Chinese only.
When I was in Australia, a European blue collar told me that there are three kinds of ‘Chinese’: those born in here (Australia), those from Hong Kong, and those from China. The identity will reveal itself by how the person behave.
If you are being asked on foreign soils, "who are you", how will you answer?
When I was studying abroad during the 70s, people (especially from the South Asia) immigrated to the foreign countries and called themselves Tangren 唐人(people of Tang from Tang dynasty; A.D. 600-900). This explains why the Chinatowns in different countries are unanimously called “Tangrenjie” 唐人街or “Street of Tang people” in Chinese. In the Qing 清era (1644-1912), despited these immigrants carried the Qing Dynasty Yellow dragon flag, and accused Sun Yat Sin and his Chinese Revolutionary Party as rogue, these people would never called themselves “people of Qing”.
After WWII, many countries in Southeast Asia were decolonised, and became their sovereigns, the term Huaren 華人meaning “ethnic Chinese” became popular. It represented the ethnicity, and somehow it also represented that they do not have the Chinese nationality. To these immigrants who had suffered immensely from Anti-China (anti-communist) sentiment, removing misunderstanding was essential. Ethnic Chinese, meant that their ancestors were from areas in China, and the culture is similar to Han ethnic group, but they themselves may not be a Chinese nationals(or person with Chinese nationality under the law).
But in English, there is no distinction between the two, both refer as “Chinese”. This ambiguous name includes people with Chinese nationality, and also people of different nationalities with a Chinese root, and people with Han lineage. This label has double meanings. It is easy for countries to suspect that these people will have no allegiance towards the countries which the persons immigrated to, and will betray their living country for China.
We cannot blame others for this logic or ideas, as many people from China who moved to foreign countries which they also vowed allegiance to, will still shout loudly, “We are backed by our loving home country, China, with more than 1 billion population!”. Many Chinese moved to Canada, were furious about Meng Sabrina arrested (Huawei's CFO), but were indifferent when two Canadian were arrested in China for policial reasons.
As the COVID19 stormed the world, there were severe discrimination against Asians. Many Blue ribbons (people who support the Hong Kong government), and Little pinkies (people who support China) gloated, “You can never escape your destiny of being a Chinese, no matter where you are, as if Son Goku can never escape the Wuzhi mountain set by the Buddha.”
The logic is non-sense. During the COVID19, there was discrimination against Asians. Yet, they can not distinguish which country the Asians come from: China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, or even India. If you read the overseas papers, you will know that Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, were wrongly treated as Chinese, and could not escape the destiny of being discriminated. So, should they accept such “destiny” and willingly view themselves as “Chinese”?
Surely, the Chinese in Mainland China, under inflating Chauvinisme idea, will think this is a natural phenomena as there were news which people from other countries, wished to become Chinese nationals. In the Little Pinkies’ mind, it is absolutely normal for others want to join them in China and "kowtou".
So if you are born as Asians, you are destined to become “Chinese”, and continue to be a “Chinese” even after death. There is an unique moral saying in China, “once an Asian, forever Chinese”.
Before WWII, ethnic Chinese migrated to overseas and stay for a short term.
They treated their homes in overseas as temporary residence, and even if they could not return to their homeland when they were alive, they wanted to be buried in China after death. Only a few truly settle down in overseas, and viewed their new homeland as their forever home. After WWII with the less severe discrimination against Chinese, the decolonisation of Southeast Asia countries, and criticism against these immigrants with foreign relationship from the Chinese regime, these oversea Chinese changed their mind, and see the country they settled as true homes.
In recent years, many Mainland Chinese has migrated overseas, and vowed allegiance. But their attitude reversed and they have the same mindset as in the old days, seeing China as their home country, and viewing themselves as expats only. And because of this, people again call themselves as Chinese, instead of “ethnic Chinese” in Europe, United States, Australia and New Zealand.
Some HongKongers behave like Mainland Chinese and believe that even after immigration, they should serve China, instead of the country they have moved to. Their point of view are: their ancestors are from Chinese area and the culture is similar to Chinese or Han culture; secondary, ethnic Chinese is equivalent to Chinese. In their minds, showing affection and allegiance towards China, is the right thing to do.
Nevertheless, among the population having Chinese nationality, 10% of the one billion of them do not belong to Han ethnic group, and they are ethnic minorities that lives in China. If Korean ethnic minority in China, with Chinese nationality, claims that North Korea, is their home country instead, and celebrate the founding day of North Korea, and do everything possible to transfer technology from China to North Korea, would this be appropriate? If the Mongolians with China nationality, want a rejuvenation of Mongolia, is that fine? If many Russians wish to become Chinese nationals, and they simultaneously love and devote themselves to Russia, are these potential traitors?
By the same token, if non-Han people, immigrate overseas, should they become like Chinese, should their descendants show allegiance and unconditional love towards China?
And on the other hand, a question arise, which the Hong Kong Education Bureau may no longer tolerate: What does it mean to have unconditional love towards China, under the Chinese logic?
During the Song Dynasty where Liao, Jin and Song coexisted, did China already exist? Mongolians, which was believed to be alien intruders, unified China. Should the Mongolians be praised and appreciated?
Was China still China when it was ruled by Mongolians, not Han people? Were the rebels traitors? Should People from Yuan Dynasty love and be faithful to China ruled by Mongolian?
Was China still China when it was ruled by Manchu? Were the rebels traitors? Should the people from Qing Dynasty love and be faithful to China ruled by Manchu?
Ethnic Chinese, has no obligation to become Chinese nationals, and have no moral reason to love China, a country which he/she has no say or involvement at all.If a person from China immigrated to other countries but still show allegiance towards China, that is similar to a person who is married, but still love the ex-lover, an act of betrayal.
So how should Hong Kong people who moved oversea identify themselves?
For now, the easy answer is Hongkonger. But if the China regime leader remains unchanged, and under One country one system, there may be no distinction between Hongkonger and Mainland Chinese soon. Telling others you are from Hong Kong can no longer differentiate the difference. What can you call yourself?
If you say you are in a Hong Kong ethnic group, maybe you can convince the others. But what difference truly lies between Hongkonger (HKer) as an ethnic group, and the Chinese?
So it might be easier if you say you are "Han HKer", or a "Etnhic Chinese", rather than just simply "Chinese".
However, when using English, if you are ethnic Chinese, to a large extent you cannot remove the label of “Chinese”, and it is hard to tell the difference between "ethnic Chinese" and "Chinese nationality". So only when you use words like Chinese dissidents, you can finally separate from the over generalized term "Chinese". But this statement may not be suitable for every occasions, especially in a rich political meaning.
African Americans refused the term “Negro”, and called themselves “Black” instead. This is a gentle yet clear statement on their stance. We, ethnic Chinese should also give ourselves a new name, to distinct ourselves from the country, China.In my humble opinion, we should give an official name to ethnic Chinese. One possible option is to call ourselves Huasian, from “Hua-Asians”, or Waasian, from "Waa-Asian". So we HKers can refer ourselves as Hong Kong Huasian /Waasian, Taiwanese can call themselves Taiwanese Huasian/Waasian. Namewee ethnic Chinese from Malaysia, can refer themselves as Malaysian Huasian/Waasian.
Recently, China adopts "wolf-warrior diplomacy", becomes aggressive and make enemies everywhere, not only in Europe and United States, even in many countries in Asia, have deep vigilance against China and Chinese. Overseas ethnic Chinese do not need to bear these burdens due to misunderstanding, and give the impression that ethnic Chinese are potential enemy.To avoid being label in general as Chinese, which can mean Chinese national or serving allegiance towards China, changing to Huasian or Waasian may be a way out.
Source: Stand News