ABSTRACT
The magnitude and influence of Chinese entrepreneurial activities have been
expanding at an astonishing pace since the end of World War II. Initially, Chinese entrepreneurial activities were most noticeable in a few countries in
East Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan) dominated by ethnic Chi-
nese. After mainland China opened its economic door in 1978 and became
‘‘the global factory,’’ the volume of economic activities by ethnic Chinese
multiplied exponentially. Concomitantly, with the spread of global capitalism,
Chinese entrepreneurial activities also flourished elsewhere in the Pacific
Rim region, particularly in Southeast Asia. The range of their economic
activities has also expanded from petty trading and low value-added products to include high-technology and high value-added products and services. A
few Chinese-owned business firms have even become global conglomerates
and play an important economic role in the Pacific Rim region and beyond.
