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Catching the Dragon’s Tail: The Impact of the Chinese in Samoa

Catching the Dragon’s Tail: The Impact of the Chinese in Samoa. Ashalyna Noa-Siaosi. Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies. Themes. Political History of the Chinese in Samoa Impact on the Samoan Economy Influence on Samoan Identity

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Catching the Dragon’s Tail: The Impact of the Chinese in Samoa

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  1. Catching the Dragon’s Tail: The Impact of the Chinese in Samoa Ashalyna Noa-Siaosi Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies

  2. Themes • Political History of the Chinese in Samoa • Impact on the Samoan Economy • Influence on Samoan Identity • The ‘New Wave’ of Chinese influence: Development Aid

  3. Migration from China

  4. Western Samoa

  5. Political History • 1880: Malietoa Laupepa • 1903: Governor Wilhelm Solf • German Administration: Economic approach • NZ Administration: Social approach Chinese indentured labourers cutting copra. (Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand).

  6. Impact on Samoan Economy • Chinese had significant role in this sector • Indentured Labour Scheme 1903-1934 • Entrepreneurship: developed intergenerationally & expanded across multiple industries. e.g. Ah Fook Family Ah Fook (Cheung Fook). (Selma Scott). Maxkar building. (Nicky Pereira).

  7. Impact on Samoan Identity • Intermarriage: surnames, facial features • Few Chinese women • Chinese men assimilated into Samoan way of life – matai, food, language and religion Selma and James Cheung Fook (Ah Fook). (Selma Scott). Samoan food with Chinese influence. (Selma Scott).

  8. ‘New Wave’ of Influence • Shift in aid donors from West to East • Why pour aid into Samoa? • Costs: loss of independence, increased gap between rich & poor, more money going out than in. • Chinese aid is a major source of income, assisted in the country's infrastructure, healthcare & education systems. Government building in Samoa funded by Chinese aid. Sports complex in Samoa funded by Chinese aid.

  9. Conclusion GOVT MANIPULATING IMPACT 1. Harsh stance of repatriation 2. Prevent foreign ownership of land and business ECONOMIC DRIVE WINS 1. Dependent on labourers 2. Dependent on aid NEW INFLUENCE 1. Chinese Labourers 2. Chinese Aid UNANTICIPATED SOCIAL IMPACT 1. Intermarriage, food & surnames 2. ?

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