Wherever I am, the world comes after me.
It offers me its busyness. It does not believe that I do not want it.
Now I understand why the old poets of China went so far
and high into the mountains, then crept into the pale mist.
"The Old Poets of China" by Mary Oliver

Chinese Commerce in Spanish Philippines: Dr. Tina Clemente Takes Part in Asian Studies Conference in New York

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Category: News @ UP Asian Center

Dr. Tina Clemente, Assistant Professor at the Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman, participated during the 2014 International Conference on “Asia Transforming: Old Values and New Presences” which was held at Hoftsra University, Long Island, New York from 18 to 20 September 2014.

Dr. Clemente presented a paper, “Chinese Commercial Success in Spanish Philippines: Insights for Economic History,” which gives a more textured analysis of the success of Chinese success in the country. She underscores the importance of the implications of the institutional environment on strategies for economic exchange. Dr. Clemente elucidates the dynamics of empire and the new exchange environment of a predatory colonial administration amidst the altered institutional structure of proto-historical trade between Chinese and early Filipinos. Furthermore, Dr. Clemente points out that “the very concept of success has remained amorphous for most of the Spanish colonial era" and explores indicators of Chinese trader success, drawing significant insights for Philippine economic history.

Dr. Clemente also moderated a panel, “Colonial Vietnam and the Philippines (Border Crossing)” in one of the conference sessions. The conference was jointly organized by the Hofstra Cultural Center, The New York Conference on Asian Studies, and The Mid-Atlantic Region Association for Asian Studies.

Dr. Clemente handles courses on social and economic development in China, theories of development, and development issues in the Philippines, among others. Her research interests include contemporary China studies; institutional analysis, and economic history. The Asian Center offers masters degrees in Asian Studies covering four areas of specialization: Northeast Asian Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, South Asian Studies, and West Asian Studies. The Center also offers an M.A. and a Ph.D. program in Philippine Studies. 

Like the Asian Center on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @upasiancenter. Photo: Dr. Tina Clemente (2nd from left). Courtesy of Dr. Dewen Zhang.