A model for building transnational networks on Chinese overseas studies: The Hong Kong experience

Abstract

The Second International Conference of Institutes and Libraries for Chinese Overseas Studies was held at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) on March 13–15, 2003. The title of the conference was “Transnational Networks: Challenges in Research and Documentation of the Chinese Overseas,” co-sponsored by the Ohio University Libraries and the CUHK. This article includes a detailed description of the conference, primarily the paper abstracts from over 60 presenters in the fields of Asian history, anthropology, sociology, political science, geography, and other Asian-related disciplines. The papers were focused on the following major topics: sources on Chinese overseas studies; computer-mediated documentation and research on the Chinese overseas; documentation, research, and teaching of Chinese overseas studies; Chinese overseas and China; exhibitions on Chinese overseas; documentation on Chinese overseas; contemporary research on Chinese overseas; migration, transnational network, and Chinese overseas; libraries and private collections on Chinese overseas; administrative and demographic data and grey literature; topics on Chinese overseas; politics and political participations; migration and identity; research on Chinese in Russia and South Africa; and Chinese overseas and business. The conference concluded with the approval of the constitution made by the World Confederation of Institutes and Libraries for Overseas Chinese Studies (WCILOCS).