Making peace with nature: ecological encounters along the Korean DMZ

Abstract

other wealthy Hokkiens in Southeast Asia, capitalised on the social, economic, and political capital they gained abroad to rescue their home villages from misery. While maintaining close ties to his native place, Li also invested in Xiamen and sought to make a home there. Sadly, despite his efforts, Lim’s attempt to make a home in Xiamen was thwarted by ‘ethnic and cultural barriers between himself and the Chinese within China’ (184). Here, Ong argues from a different angle against the sojourner discourse that views home as a natural and perennial entity. He draws out the dynamic nature of homemaking, approaching it as something that is contingent upon a complex set of interactions between overseas Chinese and the broader socio-political setting. Coming Home to a Foreign Country intriguingly engages with theoretical discussions on diaspora in history, anthropology, and sociology to shed light on the study of overseas Chinese. Ong’s interweaving of engaging life stories with analysis of the political and social factors that shape migrant experiences is a particular strength. It is highly recommended for scholars and students interested in the nature of identity and home, Chinese history, and rethinking modern China from a broader transnational perspective.