Reconciling Malaysian Chinese Identity: Multiple Passages to Nationhood

Abstract

Prior to the coming and expansion of Islam in the 15th century, the South East Asian region received significant influence from Indian and Chinese cultures (Hirschman, Reid, Winstedt). The region's relationship with China began with trade. While the Chinese did not begin significant with China began with trade. While the Chinese did not begin significant ocean travel until the 7th century, they still traded with countries as far away as Persia, first by overland transport and later via the ports in the Malay Archipelago, using Malay and Indonesian vessels. Significant changes in the relationship between China and the peninsula of Malaya occurred when the King of Melaka visited China in 1411.