Introduction: Chineseness and The Chinese Diaspora -- Constructing and Performing Chineseness -- The Voice of a Woman: Doreen Cheong -- The Voice of a Man: Reg Mu Sung -- Authenticity and Physicality: Chineseness in Cultural and Racial Discourses -- Chineseness Through the Life Course -- Decentered Linkages and Hybridity: The Ambivalence of Chineseness as Identity -- Conclusion.

The Chinese Face in Australia Multi-generational Ethnicity among Australian-born Chinese Lucille Lok-Sun Ngan and Chan Kwok-bun They have been settled for three, four, five and even six generations and have strong national and cultural identities grounded in Australia. Yet Chineseness remains central to the identity of the Australian-born Chinese— whether they willingly choose to identify with it or it is imposed upon them by others. The Chinese Face in Australia explores how long-settled Australian-born Chinese (ABCs) perceive and perform ethnicity within the family, the ethnic community, Australian society, and the global Chinese diaspora. Using extensive interview transcripts and rich autobiographical and visual materials, the authors examine the social experiences of the ABC community in Australia, particularly in terms of the Chinese cultural discourse. This provocative volume: Explores the impact of racial concepts on the formation of hybrid identities throughout their life courses, complicating and placing burdens on the daily lives of long-settled ABCs. Describes how these social processes and practices have been shared for centuries by other Chinese diasporic communities across the world. Informs the discourse on the experience of Australia’s other minority groups. Addresses global issues of race, ethnicity, culture, and immigration. Provides object lessons for other immigrant societies confronting difficult issues of race and identity.