Dual Nationality and National Belonging: A Case Study of Chinese Diaspora in Indonesia from 1949 to 1960s

The paper examines the connection between dual nationality and national belonging through a case study of ethnic Chinese in Indonesia from 1949 to 1960s. About 3 million Chinese in Indonesia were dual nationals in 1949 when the People’s Republic of China was established, holding both Chinese and Indonesian nationalities. Under a treaty signed in 1955 by China and Indonesia on dual nationality, the Chinese with dual nationality were forced to choose a single nationality. The paper traces the history of the nationality selection of those Chinese, including the broader legal and social contexts, to establish a foundation for understanding their sense of national belonging. The paper provides insightful historical knowledge which can be used to further the current debate on whether the 1980 Chinese Nationality Law should be revised to permit overseas Chinese to keep their Chinese nationality, as they could before 1949. The potential change to Chinese nationality law may impact the nationality of Chinese diasporas worldwide.