The Chinese Commonwealth?

As the British Commonwealth (of 54 nations) is getting increasing irrelevent over the years (India's disastrous organising of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, did not help), the emergence of the Chinese Commonwealth is imminent.

The rise of the Chinese in economic and military terms would also help to enhance the economic strength of the overseas Chinese, although at the moment, there is a already a disproportionate dominance of the economy by the overseas Chinese, particularly in the ASEAN countries.

The world is full of Chinese and people of the Chinese origin. There is an estimate of over 40 million Chinese living overseas as a result of the global diaspora, in all continents of the world. Adding this figure to those in the Mainland China and Taiwan, there are about 1.41 b Chinese on earth. The sun used to never set on the British Empire but today the sun truly does not set on the Chinese people!!

China is not known to have expansionist policy of invading other nations nor it is its intention for the future (it has enough land and people to manage) but it will definitely like to have strong influence amongst countries within its backyard... particularly ASEAN countries which together have over 27.5m of the 40m overseas Chinese population. There are about 820K Chinese in Australia and New Zealand..... and you can expect more in years to come, some probably come from the estimated 7m Chinese from Malaysia.

So what does a Chinese Commonwealth mean to the overseas Chinese?

There are pros and cons... and one of the cons would be envy from local populace in the various countries where Chinese people strive... which could lead to resentments against the Chinese populations (we have seen many of these revolts and brutality against the Chinese in Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia)... The Chinese are typically quite loud and showy when they are doing well.... maybe it is a lesson not too late for the learning.... stay humble and low key??