This book addresses the historical and contemporary involvement of Chinese Americans from diverse walks of life in U.S.-China relations. The contributors present new evidence and fresh perspectives on familiar and unfamiliar national and transnational networks - including families, businesspersons, community newspapers, students, lobbyists, philanthropists, and scientists - and consider the likely future impact of such contacts on the most important bilateral relationship at the start of the new millennium. The volume makes a multidisciplinary contribution to understanding the extensive and vital roles and promise of Chinese Americans at this critical juncture in U.S.-China relations, and to revealing the importance of migrants as actors in contemporary global politics. The assessments shared by the contributors suggest that the nature and scope of the Chinese American involvement, particularly in global civil society networks, increasingly will determine the outcome of state-to-state relations between the United States and the PRC.

• Cover 2
• Half Title 3
• Title Page 5
• Copyright Page 6
• Table of Contents 7
• List of Tables and Figure 9
• Explanation of Chinese Materials 10
• Foreword 11
• Introduction Chinese American Transnationalism and U.S.–China Relations: Presence and Promise for the Trans-Pacific Century 13
• Part I. The Chinese American Presence: Impact and Implications 43
  • 1. Historical Connections Between the Chinese Trans-Pacific Family and U.S.–China Relations 45
  • 2. Navigating U.S.–China Waters: The Experience of Chinese Students and Professionals in Science, Technology, and Business 62
  • 3. Transnational Sensibilities in Chinese American Diasporic Literature 78
• Part II. Contemporary Activism: Changing Orientations and Participation in Shaping U.S. Policy Toward China 99
  • 4. The Involvement of Chinese Americans in China-related Issues: Implications of a North Carolina Study of Current Political Ori 101