“跨国主义”与新加坡中国新移民社团 ：以华源会为个案研究 = Transnationalism and Chinese new immigrants associations in Singapore : a case study on Hua Yuan Association

Abstract

Under the impact of globalization, technological advances in transportation and telecommunications have resulted in time-space compression, which inevitably lead to the increase of international migration flows. As more migrants are able to create and extend social networks across borders, especially between the host country and their country of origin, the transnationalism phenomena becomes ever so conspicuous. After the People’s Republic of China started its economic reform and open-door policy in 1979, the Chinese authorities gradually amended immigration policies to permit a better flow of in-migration and out-migration. This, together with globalization trends, has sparked off a “migration fever” in all parts of mainland China, and it has resulted in the formation of new Chinese immigrant communities, which contributes to the flow of international migrants. Since diplomatic relations between Singapore and China started in 1990, the influx of Chinese new immigrants into Singapore can be seen as a response to the country’s effort in attracting foreign talent and manpower. Among the Chinese new immigrants residing in Singapore, some of them set up new immigrants clubs and voluntary associations, whose functions and importance are very much akin to the traditional Chinese voluntary associations established during the 19th and 20th centuries. Centering on the case study on Hua Yuan Association, a Chinese new immigrants association in Singapore, this paper provides an insight into the elements of transnationalism found within the multi-faceted nature and functions of the association, the relationship between the association, Singapore and China, as well as the impact of the association on both countries.