A Future for the Chinese Diaspora and Australia: Great Story and the Golden Rule

Abstract

Chinese in Australia have grown into a variegated diaspora with a mainland-born majority. Diasporas are channels of cultural, economic and political influence; and seen as such by sending and receiving countries. They interact in international cultural relations between sending and receiving countries, as expressions of civic virtue oriented to either or both. Cooperative interactions between the respective countries can bring prosperity to all; but when security considerations cast clouds over relations between countries, the concerned countries and communities have careful paths to tread. This input visits the Chinese diaspora past and present. It emphasises the rules of friendship and hospitality as guiding principles for healthy international cultural relations.