| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立暨南國際大學 === 東南亞研究所 === 96 === Individual recognition can be pluralistic or multi-layered. An individual is able to switch recognition from one layer to another in accordance with his/her needs under different circumstances. In such countries as Malaysia and Indonesia, native peoples are usually deemed as the greatest common factor of recognition for all nationals when nation recognition and race recognition are regarded as identical. That is, every race in these countries is required to recognize the nation to which their nationality belongs and become one of its “native peoples.” As to Chinese immigrants in these countries, there exists conflict, confrontation and unease between their nation recognition and race recognition due to their non-native identity.
Hometown originalization is defined as the recognition to Chinese culture. Does the educational choice of hometown originalization mean the same to Chinese Malay and Indonesian students studying in Taiwan? How do offspring of overseas Chinese in Malaysia and Indonesia understand and discourse their recognition? Is the selection of their advanced education in Taiwan associated with the political and cultural oppressions from which they have suffered in the nation of residence? Do they recognize Chinese culture, culture of the nation of residence, or both?
In the hope of understanding their definition and viewpoint regarding cultural recognition and identity, an interview project of a size of 30 foreign students is conducted in this thesis, 15 of whom are Chinese Malays with an equal size of Chinese Indonesians. They expressed their frustration during the interviews because they were regarded and treated as “foreigners” or “outsiders” no matter which country (Malaysia vs. Taiwan for Chinese Malays and Indonesia vs. Taiwan for Chinese Indonesians) they stayed in. Although these two governments (Malaysia and Indonesia) have been friendlier toward Chinese immigrants and their descendants, they have still been haunted by the fear of anti-Chinese activities. Even some of the foreign students pursuing advanced education in Taiwan feel that the so-called native peoples are extremely hostile to them. However, when they stay in Taiwan, their identity that is tagged as “foreigners” makes them unable to integrate into Taiwanese society, which greatly affects the extent to which they recognize Chinese culture.
Overseas Chinese in Malaysia and Indonesia are nationals of the nation of residence; however, they are regarded as outsiders and their education has been marginalized. Even though these two governments have showed friendliness toward Chinese immigrants, the trauma in their mind punched by the 1998 anti-Chinese activities still remains unhealed. It seems impossible for the governments to elevate citizen status for the overseas Chinese to the level of that of native peoples simply by enacting associated policy. Time might heal the pain different races inflicted upon each other as long as the politicians are willing to deny invoking hatred among races and continuing to hurt their Chinese immigrants. A better future with regard to their status may be seen if every effort can be made together through economy and politics.
Sentimentally speaking, Chinese Malay and Indonesian students in Taiwan are able to highly recognize Chinese culture. They also consider themselves Chinese and believe that Taiwan is the place in which they can share same culture and identity. Nevertheless, in view of legality and politics, they are Malay and Indonesian nationals. Therefore, they hope that Taiwan government could realize “Overseas Chinese Students policy,” rather than the so-called “Welcome Back” ideology, a wishful thinking dominating the current policy.
|
|---|
