Materialities and corridors: The Chinese diaspora and connected societies

This special issue centers on the role of diasporic communities in the making of ‘connected societies’ in Asia and beyond through case studies of the Chinese diaspora. The idea of ‘connected societies’ was inspired by the Belt and Road Initiative 1’ (BRI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Its core spirit is to enhance economic collaboration and cultural exchanges between Asia and Europe through resurrecting the legacies of the ancient Silk Road, both on land and across the sea, through which to create ‘a Community of Shared Future for Mankind’ (Xinhua, 2017). The BRI is by no means a uni-versally accepted political and economic ideal. It has nevertheless opened up spaces for exploring a new global discourse of communication and development.