Kenneth Low, chairman of Fiji’s only listed conglomerate and spokesperson for the influential Fijian Chinese community, turns 80 this year. He represents the deep history and continuing legacy of Pacific Chinese migrants. His grandparents arrived in Fiji in 1908, laying roots long before he was born in China amidst the turmoil of World War II. Low, a former architect who designed Suvavou House before entering politics, is an outspoken champion for the distinct histories and voices of Fiji’s Chinese community in this national conversation. As he looks back on the new reality, he sees a critical divide. One can see a clear divide between the deep-rooted Chinese community and the newer, younger migrants.
The Chinese presence in the Pacific is a long, established fact, and not simply a recent phenomenon. It has roots that go back to the early 20th century, interweaving with the complex histories and cultures of the islands. Low’s road ahead is rocky, not least because of the coup government’s removal of the “Chinese school” designation from Lautoka Zhong Hua School. This loss notwithstanding, he continues working with passion for education reform and uniting Fiji’s multicultural society. He is now experiencing a critical situation with leadership succession at the high school. This alarming development indicates a coming catastrophe for community stability.
The Historical Context of Chinese Migration
Kenneth Low’s story is inextricably tied to the larger historical experience of Chinese migration across the Pacific. His family history as a cane grower and exporter started in 1908 when his grandparents immigrated to Fiji. This migration started well before his birth in Wuhan, China during World War II. It draws attention to the rich and historic connections that Chinese immigrants have made to the Pacific Islands.
Low’s family faced numerous challenges, including resistance to Japanese invasion during World War II and subsequent flight from Communist rule. These formative experiences created Low’s political identity, her understanding of what it meant to move and belong. “There’s a big division between the older Chinese and new Chinese,” he remarks, highlighting a cultural gap that has developed over generations.
In Fiji, the cultural and social legacy of early Chinese immigrants can be seen today through their contributions to Fijian society. Former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka noted, “Those who came early have contributed a lot to Fiji, and they are still contributing.” This recognition underlines this ongoing effect of the elder statesman’s generation on Fijian culture and economy.
The Changing Landscape of Chinese Businesses
As the Pacific begins to realize, the pressure of adaptation changes the landscape of business opportunity for Chinese immigrants. In Honiara, Solomon Islands, more than 90 percent of the grocery stores are owned by ethnic Chinese. This important trend highlights a broader cultural and demographic shift toward economic localization within America’s cities and towns.
Kenneth Low’s observations hardly represent a minority view among long-established Fijian Chinese. “If people coming here integrate into the culture, they can live very happily in Fiji,” he states, endorsing a harmonious coexistence between new arrivals and local traditions. This relationship seems pivotal in creating a greater sense of understanding, respect, and cooperation between our increasingly diverse communities.
The tide is turning on businesses, too. Qian Chen, a leader in Tongan community, was surprised at the formality that’s increasing among Chinese businesses. Increasingly, Chinese enterprises are very buttoned-up these days, operating with laser-like focus under Tongan law. I believe that whatever benefits from Tongan development goes to the benefit of Tongan development,” she echoed, underscoring that legal activities help stimulate local economies.
Political Dynamics and Community Identity
The geopolitical landscape concurrently has changed the dynamics of Chinese communities throughout the Pacific. The Solomon Islands’ shift in diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing under its One-China policy in 2019 has reshaped relationships and opportunities for Chinese businesses in the region. Gold Ridge mine stands as China’s largest investment in the Solomon Islands to date, indicating China’s growing economic footprint in the area.
Kenneth Low has worried about the impact of these changes on local cultures. He asserts, “I believe our government will definitely not welcome anybody who is likely to destroy the Pacific way of life.” This talking point, often attributed to Henry Ford, emphasizes the importance of finding balance between economic development and community heritage.
The Sea King restaurant in Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands, is one such cultural landmark, where strangers of all ethnicities and backgrounds come together as equals. Stacey Wu, whose mother designed the new establishment, reflects on her identity: “Here in the Solomons, I am an Islander.” Younger generations of Chinese migrants are striving to carve out their own spaces, their own identities, wherever they land in the world. They commemorate and embrace their vibrant culture.
