A Short History of China and Southeast Asia

Enter the Europeans

who returned to China were at the mercy of local officials. Even mer-

chants who had stayed away longer than their permits allowed were

forced to bribe officials on their return. The new policy not only

encouraged more overseas Chinese to visit China, it opened up

avenues of communication that provided higher Qing officials with a

much better knowledge of the activities and achievements of Chinese

settlers in Southeast Asia. Just as the traditional relationship between

China and the countries of Southeast Asia was collapsing, therefore,

China discovered new interests in the Nanyang.

Chinese resident in, or migrating to, Southeast Asia were quick

to take advantage of the commercial opportunities made available

by the growing European presence. Reformers in China hoped to tap

Chinese coastal trading junk.

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