THE UKRAINIAN DIASPORA IN CHINA: HISTORY AND THE CURRENT TENDENCY OF BECOMING

Abstract

The article shows the main historical stages of the appearance of Ukrainians in Chinese territories, identifies the reasons for the resettlement of our compatriots to the Far East, disclosed their social and public life in The Celestial Empire, and indicated the factors of re-emigration from China to other countries. Also, disclosed tendency to revive of the Ukrainians Diaspora life in China in the beginning of the 21 century, which at one time ceased to exist after the Second World War. At the beginning of the 20th century, Manchuria became another center of the Ukrainian Diaspora formation, which was formed around cultural centers and groups that arose along the East China Railway. The Far East, as a place of compact residence of Ukrainians, in the 30s of the 20 century came to the attention of the OUN’s leaders. 1948 year was the last in the life of organized Ukrainism in China in the 20 century. We can talk about the revival of the rallying of Ukrainians in China only at the beginning of the 21st century. The desire of Chinese Ukrainians to live a full-fl edged Diaspora life now positively affects the attitude of the Chinese to both Ukrainians and Ukraine as a whole. It is thanks to the eff orts of Ukrainian society in China that today there is a positive tendency to appearance and dissemination of information about Ukraine, which comes from primary sources. Before that, everything was in translation from the Russian media. The Chinese with every year show more and more interest in Ukrainians and Ukraine. On the path of rallying the Ukrainians of China, the main problem is the insufficient financing by the Ukrainian side of various cultural, information, educational and economic projects and initiatives. However, other foreigners are faced with the same problems. As the experience of recent years has shown, many issues can be solved precisely thanks to the active communication of Ukrainians among themselves, mutual assistance and the desire to unite.