Overseas Chinese

Midas touch of Lin Xiang Xiong: Mining gold with one hand, creating art with the other

From scavenging for food in China to helming a gold mining empire in Malaysia, Lin Xiang Xiong’s life is a masterclass in resilience. The gold miner-cum-artist speaks with Lianhe Zaobao senior correspondent Chew Boon Leong about how his accidental foray into gold mining has fuelled his true calling: a global crusade for peace through art.

Chew Boon Leong

America is running out of China experts

A retiring generation of leading sinologists and declining student interest in China studies are creating a widening expertise gap in the US, prompting warnings of an academic generational rupture, says US academic Wu Guo.

Wu Guo

Empire in decline? Asian Americans in an age of anxiety

Amid intensified immigration enforcement, many immigrants and Asian Americans report rising fear, discrimination and uncertainty, reshaping daily life and eroding confidence in the American promise. Chinese American academic Wu Guo shares some insight on the long-term impact of ICE operations on the psyche of the Asian community.

Wu Guo

There’s no city like Singkawang: Where Hakka is the lingua franca and Cap Go Meh dazzles

In Singkawang, West Kalimantan, writer Teo Han Wue found kindred spirits, a vibrant Chinese community and a chance to witness the colourful culmination of Chinese New Year celebrations there — a spirit-medium parade, known to the locals as Cap Go Meh or Pawai Tatung.

Teo Han Wue

Hokkien roots, Brunei soil: My father’s journey across borders and spiritual planes [Eye on Fujian series]

From wandering between homes in Malaysia to setting roots in Brunei, one would never have thought that a young rebel with just a toy car to his name would live a life in service of the gods. ThinkChina’s Josephine Hong shares snippets of the life of her father, Richard Hong Kuan Yin.

Josephine Hong

[Big read] Can China’s new migrants find a home in Takaichi’s Japan?

Relaxed immigration policies and shifting geopolitical dynamics have ushered Japan into the “era of one million overseas Chinese”. Writer Foo Choo Wei discovers that amid shifts in policy and deteriorating China-Japan relations, these Chinese migrants must balance good neighbourliness while preserving their culture and language.

Foo Choo Wei

The end of the American education dream for Chinese students?

Amid visa uncertainty, geopolitical tension and rising costs, Chinese students are increasingly questioning the prestige of an American university education. Attracted by factors such as affordability and stability, many are now setting their sights on universities in places like Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, signalling a decisive shift in the global academic landscape.

Caixin Global

[Big read] Why Chinese students are flocking to Malaysia

Given Malaysia’s close cultural connection to China and its multilingual and multicultural education environment, Chinese students are increasingly choosing Malaysia to further their studies. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Seoow Juin Yee finds out the benefits and downsides of this trend.

Seoow Juin Yee

[Big read] Shanghai to Bangkok: The rise of Chinese clubs in Southeast Asia

Chinese nightclub owners are setting their sights on Southeast Asia — a market that holds much potential but also numerous challenges. They hope that the unique experiences they offer will help them stand out, says Lianhe Zaobao news correspondent Lim Zhan Ting.

Lim Zhan Ting

[Video] Pastel: A Brazilian street snack with surprising Cantonese origins

As China’s influence in Latin America grows, more Chinese companies and individuals in search of new opportunities are moving halfway across the globe to this diverse region with huge markets. In Brazil, some Chinese immigrants have opened stalls selling pastel, a street snack that fuses Cantonese and Brazilian flavours. Lianhe Zaobao China news correspondent Lim Zhan Ting takes a closer look at the popular snack, which has provided countless Chinese immigrants with both a livelihood and a sense of belonging.

Lim Zhan Ting

More Chinese restaurants joining Singapore’s cutthroat F&B industry

Singapore’s dining scene has seen a rise of new restaurants serving hometown cuisines from various parts of China. Why are so many Chinese restaurants opening in Singapore and what are their strategies? Can local restaurants serving up Nanyang flavours stand out in an increasingly crowded F&B scene? Lianhe Zaobao senior writer Woon Wei Jong finds out.

Woon Wei Jong

Taiwan’s romance industry colours Singapore and Malaysia

The passing of Taiwanese legends Chiung Yao and Liu Chia-chang marks the end of an era for an entire generation of ethnic Chinese, not just in Taiwan but also in Singapore and Malaysia. Researcher Phoon Wing Keong looks at the influence of the Taiwanese entertainment industry overseas, as well as its function beyond just entertainment.

Phoon Wing Keong