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Diaspora of Chinese Intellectuals in the Cold War Era

From Hong Kong to the Asia-Pacific Region, 1949–1969

冷战时代中国知识人的海外离散

从香港到亚太地区, 1949–1969
In: Journal of Chinese Overseas
Author:
容启聪 Department of Chinese Culture, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong China

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Abstract

On the eve of the Communist takeover in 1949, a considerable number of Chinese intellectuals were reluctant to live under Communist rule. They began their self-exile and the search for a new home outside China. Many travelled to places on China’s periphery such as Taiwan and Hong Kong. Others continued their journey and finally settled down in Southeast Asia and North America. Sojourning abroad, most of these self-exiled intellectuals still kept a close eye on Chinese politics and society. They were eager to promote their political ideal for a liberal-democratic China in the overseas Chinese communities. However, they were at the same time facing the challenge of assimilation into local society. This article traces the journey of the self-exiles in the 1950s and 1960s from Hong Kong to Southeast Asia and North America. It examines several representative figures and studies their activities in their new place of settlement. It argues that, although the self-exiles largely maintained a strong commitment to the future of their homeland, they varied in their degree of assimilation into their new homes. Age was not a key factor in their decision to adapt to the local community. Instead, the existence of a politically and economically influential Chinese population played a more important role in such a decision. Intellectuals who lived in Hong Kong or Southeast Asia were more willing to adjust their life to the locality, while those who went to North America were less attached to the local society.

摘要

1949 年中国政权易手前夕,部分抗拒生活在共产政权之下的知识人纷纷离开中 国,开始在海外寻找安居之地。他们很多都走到台湾和香港定居,也有不少人再走到东南亚和北美地区。虽然定居在国外,这些流亡知识人仍旧关注着中国政治和社会的发展。他们生活在海外的华人社群,并努力地宣扬其政治理念,盼望自由民主的中国能够出现。可是,当他们在国外定居日久,如何融入流亡地社会却是一项挑战。本文以数字具代表性的知识人为例,探讨他们在 1950 及 1960 年代的流亡经历,并追踪他们从香港到东南亚及北美地区的旅程。笔者认为这些流亡知识人仍然深切关注着母国的未来发展,但他们融入流亡地社会的程度却各有不同。流亡者的年龄并非决定他们能否融入当地社会的关键因素。更重要的是当地社会是否存在一个具政治及经济影响力的华人社群。定居香港或东南亚的流亡知识人会较容易适应当地生活。相反,定居在北美地区的知识人就会与当地社会较为疏离。

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