Analysis On Social Changes Of Overseas Chinese In The Philippines In The Late Period Of The 19^th Century

Since 1850s, the colonialist authorities in the Philippines have admitted to Chinese immigrants to make business and trade professions operation. With benefits to the policy, Chinese immigrants, majority of Fujian residents in coastal areas, immigrated to the Philippines in great force. The number, distribution and professional structure of Philippine Chinese changed fundamentally. Living-making field of Philippine Chinese has transferred from agriculture, wholesale and retail trade to intermediary of international commercial agency operating the marketing of import commodities and the purchase of export commodities. Some Overseas Chinese made a profession to handicrafts and varieties of service industry which could meet the need of urban development. Distribution of Philippine Chinese has transformed from highly centralized Manila to widely distributed islands as driving Overseas Chinese commercial network to extend to the whole Philippines. In the late period of Spanish governance, profound social changes of Overseas Chinese in the Philippines were promoted by sharp increase of population and economic development of Overseas Chinese. Captain Regime developed mature and helped to enhance cohesive force in Chinese society. At the same time, overseas Chinese society enhanced cohesive force depending on organizing varieties of social group organization in a traditional Chinese manner. Overseas Chinese paid attention and recognition to China by Qing government seeking economic support and importation of Overseas Chinese groups. Philippine Chinese society, compressed by Spanish Colonist, was influenced by the arisen Chinese nationalism to develop Overseas Chinese nationalism requesting Qing government to establish Consulate protections. However, great majority Chinese mestizos integrated into the Philippine island indigenous society, became a forming a part of Philippine national. Since the late 19^th century, rapid development and change of Overseas Chinese society attracted Philippine Chinese to pay close attention to the development of motherland and hometown. On aspects of making remittance to hometown and participating in local economic and political construction, Philippine Chinese concerned much more than that of Overseas Chinese society in other Southeast Asian regions.