East-West Question – Xia Yuqing- Why is Tan Kah Kee concerned about the overseas Chinese mechanics returning to China to support the anti-Japanese war-

**Interview with Xia Yuqing, Deputy Director of the Overseas Chinese Research Institute at Yunnan Normal University**
**By: Jin Xu, Men Rui – China News Service**

**China News Service:** This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of the renowned patriotic overseas Chinese leader, Chen Jiageng, who is celebrated as the “banner of overseas Chinese and the brilliance of the nation.” In 1939, at Chen Jiageng’s urging, the Southern Overseas Chinese workers began their return to Yunnan to support the anti-Japanese war. What made Chen Jiageng such a significant figure, and why was he so concerned about the welfare of these workers that he visited them twice in one year? Xia Yuqing, Deputy Director of the Overseas Chinese Research Institute at Yunnan Normal University, shares his insights.

**China News Service:** In 1939, what actions did Chen Jiageng and the Southern Overseas Chinese Association take to mobilize workers to return home to support the anti-Japanese efforts?

**Xia Yuqing:** At the onset of the war, Japan had cut off many of China’s main transportation routes, leaving the Burma Road as the only military supply route connecting China to the outside world. The Southwest Transportation Administration urgently requested assistance from the Southern Overseas Chinese Association, led by Chen Jiageng, to recruit skilled drivers and mechanics from Southeast Asia.

Chen Jiageng, a prominent businessman in the region, established his influence within the overseas Chinese community through his economic success. Under his leadership, the Southern Overseas Chinese Association utilized letters, public announcements, and community meetings to emphasize the importance of returning home to join the fight against Japan. They created clear guidelines outlining the qualifications for workers, travel costs, necessary paperwork, and allocation of spots for returning overseas Chinese.

Furthermore, the Association made thorough arrangements for each group of returning workers, including unified departure times and the handling of passports and other documents. This organized approach ensured that the repatriation efforts were smooth and coordinated. As a result, there was a strong response from the overseas Chinese communities, and on February 18, 1939, the first group of workers set sail from Singapore. Between February and September of that year, a total of 3,192 skilled Chinese workers returned home, taking on crucial roles in supplying the Chinese battlefield.

**China News Service:** After arriving in Kunming, the Southern Overseas Chinese workers faced harsh conditions. How did Chen Jiageng step in to address these issues and advocate for their fair treatment?

**Xia Yuqing:** The challenges faced by the Southern Overseas Chinese workers, referred to as the “cold hardship,” arose because they arrived in Kunming without adequate warm clothing or necessary medical support, suffering from the cold weather and unfamiliar conditions. This situation persisted from March until October 1939.

After arriving, the workers were quickly placed in military training but lacked appropriate winter clothing. Frustrated, they wrote to the Southern Overseas Chinese Association, seeking help. Recognizing the urgency of their plight, Chen Jiageng dispatched a representative to verify the conditions and wrote to the Southwest Transportation Administration to address the issue.

Despite being based in Yangon, he was determined to ensure the workers in Kunming received the support they needed. In August 1939, an Association representative conducted an on-the-ground assessment along the Burma Road, discovering that conditions were indeed dire. Chen Jiageng mobilized the overseas Chinese community to provide winter clothing and medical supplies. Organizations in Singapore provided warm clothing at discounted prices, which were then distributed to the workers.

Moreover, he criticized the mismanagement within the Southwest Transportation framework and drafted recommendations for improving conditions. As a result of Chen’s efforts and the government’s coordination, the “cold hardship” issue was eventually alleviated.

**China News Service:** Why did Chen Jiageng lead welfare delegations to visit the Southern Overseas Chinese workers in Yunnan twice in a year?

**Xia Yuqing:** Chen Jiageng cared deeply about the welfare of the Southern Overseas Chinese workers. They were exposed to various dangers including enemy aircraft, traffic incidents, and illness, which compounded their struggles even when the Burma Road was functioning.

From July 30 to August 13, 1940, Chen Jiageng made his first inspection tour in Yunnan, where he visited injured workers in a local hospital, distributed funds, attended meetings with workers, and assessed the distribution of supplies provided by the Association. During an event at Southwest United University, he delivered a motivational speech encouraging students to take on national responsibilities.

In late November 1940, he returned to Kunming for a final inspection and noted ongoing issues with supply shortages for workers due to mismanagement within the Southwest Transportation agency. He reported his findings and suggested improvements directly to Chiang Kai-shek. This trip also allowed him to share his observations with overseas Chinese communities to inspire morale and continue gathering resources to improve conditions on the Burma Road.

By 1942, the Burma Road was cut off, and many Southern Overseas Chinese workers were dispersed, facing challenges to their livelihoods. Chen Jiageng, who was evading Japanese persecution in Indonesia, returned to Singapore post-war to aid the workers in their return home. By 1946, the government established procedures for their repatriation.

**China News Service:** In 1955, during his nationwide tour termed “The Great Journey Across the Motherland,” how did Chen Jiageng’s focus shift when he visited Yunnan compared to earlier visits?

**Xia Yuqing:** In August 1955, Chen Jiageng embarked on this extensive tour across 16 provinces in China, covering over 25,000 miles. When he visited Yunnan, he focused particularly on the region’s ethnic relations.

Chen highly praised the harmonious coexistence and mutual support among different ethnic groups, concluding that effective government policies had fostered a peaceful environment where minorities and the Han people shared a joyful communal experience.

Moreover, approximately a thousand of the Southern Overseas Chinese workers who had settled in Yunnan remained on his mind, and during this visit, he made a point to visit and connect with them.

**China News Service:** As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Chen Jiageng’s birth and the 85th anniversary of the Southern Overseas Chinese workers’ return to support the war, how can we ensure that more people learn about their sacrifices and contributions?

**Xia Yuqing:** The history of Chen Jiageng leading the Southern Overseas Chinese Association to recruit workers for the war effort represents an important link between China and the overseas Chinese communities. The contributions of these workers, who sacrificed everything for the national cause, should not be forgotten. The ongoing support provided by the Association and related organizations was crucial during this period.

Although the Southern Overseas Chinese workers are no longer with us, their stories persist. Scholars continue to uncover historical details, while descendants of these workers hold commemorative events and preserve family records to piece together their histories. I hope to collaborate with organizations in Singapore and Malaysia to create a database for the Southern Overseas Chinese workers, providing resources for scholars worldwide. Additionally, I aspire to initiate a global memorial event in Kunming to honor Chen Jiageng and the Southern Overseas Chinese workers, ensuring their legacy endures.