ABSTRACT
The presence of millions of Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia, like the presence of Peking-oriented insurgencies, gives a special dimension to Sino-Southeast Asian relations. Policies pursued by Chinese governments from the time of the Revolution of 1911 to the early 1950s contributed much to the political and cultural isolation of the Overseas Chinese communities. The major obstacles are to be found in the policies of the Southeast Asian governments toward the Overseas Chinese. In some cases Overseas Chinese are subjected to official discrimination even after they become citizens. Many Overseas Chinese prospered in Burma, too, despite nationalistic laws discriminating against them and other aliens, until they were hit by the "Burmese Way to Socialism." Malaysia and Singapore are particularly sensitive to the question of China's relationship with the Overseas Chinese. In Singapore the problem is somewhat different, since the Overseas Chinese dominate the politics and culture of the country as well as its economy.
