In this first book to explore the Chinese diaspora from geographical perspectives, leading scholars in the field consider the profound importance of meanings of place and the spatial processes of mobility and settlement for the Chinese overseas. They trace the Chinese diaspora everywhere it has become a significant force, from Southeast Asia to Oceania, North America, Latin America, and Europe. Providing an important historical perspective, the contributors analyze the sharp differences between sojourning Chinese prior to the 1960s and the transnational Chinese of the current era, especially in terms of spatial distribution, mobility, economic status, occupational structure, and identity formation. Anyone interested in the powerful phenomenon of Chinese migration will find this comprehensive work an invaluable resource.

Contributions by: Carolyn L. Cartier, Sen-dou Chang, C. Cindy Fan, You-tien Hsing, Manying Ip, Robert B. Kent, Lily Kong, David Chuenyan Lai, Maggi W.H. Leung, Georgia C.S. Lin, Laurence J.C. Ma, Jonathan Rigg, Ronald Skeldon, Jack F. Williams, Chung-Tong Wu, Brenda Yeoh