Awaking The "Sick Men":Research On Health And Sports Of Philippine Chinese From The Perspective Of Nationalism(1902-1949)

In the first half of the 20th century,growing nationalism increasingly strengthened overseas Chinese consciousness and identification.After experiencing various humiliations and unjust treatment,the nationalist discourse of "sick man" and"Strengthening nation by Strengthening race" aroused positive resonance among the Philippine Chinese Community and became a conscious way of thinking of the Chinese people.These health protection,hygiene and sports activities have always been given a nationalistic mission.A series of Chinese exclusion policies adopted by the American colonial authorities also consolidated the nationalist tendency of the Philippine Chinese.The health and sports activities were not only expected to improving the physique of the overseas Chinese,but also was a long-term process of reshaping the self-image of the Chinese Community.The health care system for Philippine Chinese has been gradually established and improved by setting up health care and Chinese hospitals.In order to stay competitive,Nationalism discourse presented in the Chinese medicine or clinic advertising.In addition,Philippine Chinese launched anti-drug campaign with multiple goals of improving the health of the Chinese people and maintaining the positive image of China and the Overseas Chinese community.The sports of Philippine Chinese also showed a strong tendency of nationalism.The purpose of sports was to get rid of status of the"sick man" from the physical and psychological level,to cultivate sound nationals among overseas Chinese and reshape a sound nation.The sports activities and organizations of the Philippine Chinese demonstrated their competitive national spirit and greatly enhanced the cohesion of the Chinese community throughout the Philippines.From the participation of Philippine Chinese in international sports competitions,we can see that the physique of overseas Chinese and Chinese athletes has merged with the nation personality and dignity.Sports became a symbol of national strength and status,or a "compensatory power" of national strength,which is conducive to enhancing national prestige,and an effective way to changing the "sick man" status,even all kinds of negative image of overseas Chinese,and increasing the reputation and status of Philippine Chinese.Female Chinese were once considered with the image of backwardness.However,some of them began to walked out of their houses and left profound historical marks in social undertakings,personal careers,the activities of Resistance against the Japanese Aggression,sports and other aspects.Nationalism was a powerful driving force for the shaping of modern health idea and sports in the Philippine Chinese community.In the first half of the 20th century,the health care and sports of Philippine Chinese made great progress under the impetus of nationalism.Through various movements of shaping and perfecting the new nationals,the unity and integration within the overseas Chinese society have been strengthened.At the same time,the Philippine Chinese actively show their spirit and outlook of being nationals of a great power in the international athletic competition environment,improved the image and status of the Philippine Chinese and created a more favorable environment for the Philippine Chinese Community.