Singapore Chronicles: Chinese

Historically, Singapore has been home to a myriad of people of Chinese descent, including those whose ancestors migrated from China many generations ago, as well as recent immigrants who have taken up permanent residence or citizenship. This book provides an overview of the Chinese in multi-ethnic Singapore, from sojourners to settlers in the pre-colonial Malay world and from colonial subjects to citizens in a new nation. There is no other country where Chinese form the majority of the citizenry outside of Chinese territories. In critically examining the implications of their majority status, the authors suggest that “Chineseness” has always been diversely manifested and today’s Chinese-Singaporeans must continue to grapple with what it means to share in the vision and the work of creating a unique and enduring multicultural nation.