Laos was once unique in Southeast Asia for its remarkably small overseas Chinese communities. Most of them fled this country when the communist forces seized power in 1975. Since Laos opened its economy in 1986, the C...Laos was once unique in Southeast Asia for its remarkably small overseas Chinese communities. Most of them fled this country when the communist forces seized power in 1975. Since Laos opened its economy in 1986, the Chinese in Laos have been able to develop in many areas. Especially, the visit of Premier LI Peng to Vientiane in 1990 marked a turning point in China-Laos relations. Unlike Cambodia, the reawakening of a Chinese community in Laos did not come from the Huaqiao, this arose from a new cycle of immigrants, who started pouring into northern Laos in the late 1990s at an unprecedented scale. Compared with other Southeast Asian nations, the Chinese in Laos are less in number and weaker in economic power. In this study, we focus on （1） Analysis the ways of the new Chinese immigrants in Laos; （2） Assess the role of new Chinese immigrants in the process of China increasing their influence in Laos and how Laos response to this issue; and （3） The trend of new Chinese immigrants in Laos in the near future. Firstly, the rapid of Chinese investment to Laos in the last two decades is the most important factor driving the Chinese migrants into this country. The first new Chinese immigrants arrived in the mid-1990s as workers or technicians on road construction projects and as part of the industrial cooperation between Yunnan and the northern provinces of Laos. Since the 2000s, China has been pouring aid and investment into Laos. Chinese companies are involved in almost all areas of this country＇s economy, from hydropower to mining, agriculture, service, and hospitality. The increasing of Chinese exports, investment, aids and Chinese contracted project constructions in Laos led to mass Chinese immigrants going to Laos to work in all the economic sectors which the Chinese are involved in this country. Most of them chose to stay on and started their own businesses. Secondly, the wave of new Chinese immigrants in Laos helps Chinese government to relieve the pressure of solving jobs for their citizens. The semi-skilled and unskilled labor can go to Laos to work for the Chinese companies. Moreover, the outflow of petty traders has been prompted by the oversupply of certain goods in China as well as intense domestic competition. The investors also can find the better developing business opportunities. Although, the increasing of new Chinese immigrants make the local society change so much. Some Laotians feel cautious about the presence of so many Chinese people in Laos. Thirdly, with the increasing of Chinese＇s influence in Laos, especially in the economic, the position of the Chinese community in Laos will grow stronger in both quantity and economic and political status. Assessing the trend of increasing of new Chinese immigrations in Laos and the growth of the Chinese community are seen by the Laos government creating favorable conditions for China＇s investment, commercial activity, tourism activities, and cultural exchanges.展开更多
文摘Laos was once unique in Southeast Asia for its remarkably small overseas Chinese communities. Most of them fled this country when the communist forces seized power in 1975. Since Laos opened its economy in 1986, the Chinese in Laos have been able to develop in many areas. Especially, the visit of Premier LI Peng to Vientiane in 1990 marked a turning point in China-Laos relations. Unlike Cambodia, the reawakening of a Chinese community in Laos did not come from the Huaqiao, this arose from a new cycle of immigrants, who started pouring into northern Laos in the late 1990s at an unprecedented scale. Compared with other Southeast Asian nations, the Chinese in Laos are less in number and weaker in economic power. In this study, we focus on （1） Analysis the ways of the new Chinese immigrants in Laos; （2） Assess the role of new Chinese immigrants in the process of China increasing their influence in Laos and how Laos response to this issue; and （3） The trend of new Chinese immigrants in Laos in the near future. Firstly, the rapid of Chinese investment to Laos in the last two decades is the most important factor driving the Chinese migrants into this country. The first new Chinese immigrants arrived in the mid-1990s as workers or technicians on road construction projects and as part of the industrial cooperation between Yunnan and the northern provinces of Laos. Since the 2000s, China has been pouring aid and investment into Laos. Chinese companies are involved in almost all areas of this country＇s economy, from hydropower to mining, agriculture, service, and hospitality. The increasing of Chinese exports, investment, aids and Chinese contracted project constructions in Laos led to mass Chinese immigrants going to Laos to work in all the economic sectors which the Chinese are involved in this country. Most of them chose to stay on and started their own businesses. Secondly, the wave of new Chinese immigrants in Laos helps Chinese government to relieve the pressure of solving jobs for their citizens. The semi-skilled and unskilled labor can go to Laos to work for the Chinese companies. Moreover, the outflow of petty traders has been prompted by the oversupply of certain goods in China as well as intense domestic competition. The investors also can find the better developing business opportunities. Although, the increasing of new Chinese immigrants make the local society change so much. Some Laotians feel cautious about the presence of so many Chinese people in Laos. Thirdly, with the increasing of Chinese＇s influence in Laos, especially in the economic, the position of the Chinese community in Laos will grow stronger in both quantity and economic and political status. Assessing the trend of increasing of new Chinese immigrations in Laos and the growth of the Chinese community are seen by the Laos government creating favorable conditions for China＇s investment, commercial activity, tourism activities, and cultural exchanges.
