Overseas and Under Siege

Since 2006, Chinese immigrants have suffered a backlash of violence at the hands of locals in the Solomon Islands, Lesotho, and Algeria, among others. The reasons behind the widespread anti-Chinese sentiment range from cultural clashes to accusations of meddling in local politics. But a more fundamental reason could be rooted in economics, xenophobia notwithstanding. China’s sponsorship of infrastructure in developing countries often stipulates using Chinese firms and labor. The result is a rising trend of Chinatowns scattered across the world. Meanwhile, locals grow resentful of trying to compete with cheap Chinese goods and the influx of labor contracted to the Chinese firms. This tension is exacerbated by cultural differences that are more apparent in Muslim countries. What remains to be seen is China’s response to this perceived persecution of its nationals. At the moment, Beijing treads lightly. But it may soon walk an even finer line between supporting national interests and supporting its own citizens. – YaleGlobal