The China-Australia Migration Corridor: History and Heritage
Edited by Denis Bryne, Ien Ang and Phillip Mar
Melbourne University Press: 2023
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For some, the recurring questions of ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Where do I belong?’ constantly resound in our thoughts. Some believe that the most genuine way to understand our journey lies in retracing our steps to our ancestral origins—the very starting points from which our migration experiences emerged. Others are convinced that our identity blossoms from the steps we take in this lifetime alone, disconnected from our ancestral histories. While both have their nuances, The China-Australian Migration Corridor: History and Heritage, edited by Denis Byrne, Ien Ang and Phillip Mar, is a seminal work that dissects the complex migration patterns between two of the world’s most dynamic nations. It delves deep into historical foundations, contemporary trends, economic implications, cultural exchanges and policy considerations related to movement between China and Australia. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers and anyone keen on grasping the intricacies of migration between these two countries. It also serves as a window into a heritage I, a writer with Chinese roots, have longed to discover.

I possessed limited knowledge of Australia’s Indigenous history when I first arrived in the country in 2009. It wasn’t until a few years into my new life that I began to discern the political conflicts within this diverse nation. Australia presented itself as a friendly, open-minded and free country, where all seemed to be welcome. Delving deeper into layers of trauma and history revealed a more complex reality.

• Tags: Australia, China, Denis Byrne, Emma Pei Yin, Ien Ang, Issue 35, Phillip Mar