Across the region, they have faced much discrimination, often deeply resented for their wealth. Some 80 years ago, Thailand’s King Rama VI called the Chinese the “Jews of the East”. Please refer to the article below for more information and statistics about the Chinese in South-east Asia.ĪNALYSIS: SOUTH-EAST ASIA’S CHINESE | By Mangai Balasegaram in Kuala LumpurīBC News | Asia Pacific Wednesday, 29 August, 2001Įthnic Chinese have settled in South-East Asia for centuries, but most today are descendants of 19th century migrants from southern China. Although his statements were meant to be derogatory, nevertheless, it pointed to the similarities he observed between the Chinese and Jews as a people. Thailand’s King Rama VI was not happy with the ethnic Chinese in his kingdom and in some of his writings called them the “Jews of the East”. With this came also feelings of antagonism towards them. However when the powers that be were gone, the Jews were left in position to own and operate business.Īcross time, the Chinese communities increased in wealth and influence disproportionate to their numbers. Much like the Jews in diaspora, their role as middlemen caused feelings of injury among the local people. The Chinese were kept from owning land and were used as middlemen by colonialists. It was noted by South-east Asian expert Professor Amy Freedman, from the US Franklin and Marshall College that the Chinese have faced much discrimination and similar segregation policies and laws controlling property to the Jews. It is interesting to note that there have been many similarities in the historical experience of the Chinese diaspora and Jews. When the misunderstanding was cleared up, the Christians set about trying to convert the Jewsbut to no avail, because Kaifeng's Jews were adamantly loyal to their heritage.The Chinese is synonymous with South East Asia, however, their presence have historically been fraught with suspicions and resentment. The missionaries, never having imagined there might be Jews in China, assumed they were lost Christians. The Jews, never having heard of Christianity, assumed that anyone who believed in one God must be a coreligionist. Of the many fascinating tales related in this beautifully illustrated, lovingly written book, perhaps the most touching is the one about Kaifeng's Jews and the first Christian missionaries in China. Even today there are people in Kaifeng who remain aware of their ancestry and register as Jews on official census forms. Though they adopted Chinese customs and intermarried with their neighbors, Kaifeng's Jews held together as a community until well into modern times. Long isolated from other Jews because they were living in a land that sought to cut itself off from the rest of the world, they tenaciously maintained their traditions and identity. The story of Chinese Jewry is both historically interesting and profoundly inspiring. Their synagogue, a unique amalgam of Chinese architecture with Judaic tradition, was one of the city's most striking sights. Because of China's tolerance and openness, its members attained success in many fields - commerce, crafts, government service, the military. The country's Jewish community, located in Kaifeng, once the capital city, numbered several thousand at its height. Chinese Jews! A curious pairing, but strange as it may seem, there have been Jews in China for more than a thousand years.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |