The Making of a Supranational Stereotype: Western Literary Constructions of the Chinese in Manila and Beyond

This essay critiques Orientalist constructions of Chinese-Filipinos in British and American fiction, travel writing reportage over four centuries. The Chinese as skinflint entrepreneur is perhaps the oldest stereotype this repertoire, reaching back to Daniel Defoe 1725, bearing common attributes with anti-Semitic modelling Jews Europe. A century later, writers Charles Wilkes William Henry Thomes conflate concerns about migration UK US disquiet economic activity Manila. While these authors revere enterprising spirit Chinese, they are also anxious that depriving other ethnic groups jobs opportunities prosper. Another paradox came into play towards end when an ascendant middle class mixed race méstizos produced both wealthy businesspeople who shored up socioeconomic status quo leading personalities Philippine independence movement sought overturn quo. Western time invest ambiguity characters outwardly respectable yet ultimately untrustworthy dealing westerners. Although such patent Sinophobia lulled twentieth wore on, geopolitical events intervened ensure innuendos elitism money-grabbing survived work Raymond Nelson Timothy Mo. These texts respond rise People’s Republic China regional superpower consequences new multilateral world order for Philippines. By election President Rodrigo Duterte 2016, anti-Chinese sentiment reignited, hypocrisy a crucial part kindling. At same overlooking or vindicating exercising “hard” “soft” power Philippines, Jonathan Miller liberal Orientalists exaggerate China’s military threat Manila, Southeast Asia West.