My research project focuses on the introduction of the passport system by Dutch colonial authorities in the colony and its use for controlling the movement of Chinese people from the Netherlands East Indies. The period under study is from the late nineteenth century to 1939. Academic interest in passports has increased since the publication of John Torpey's book, "The Invention of the Passport," in 2000. However, Torpey's research only covers the historical origin of passports in Western Europe and the United States, without explaining their impact in colonies. My research analyzes how the passport system was introduced and functioned in the Dutch colonies, particularly for controlling the movement of Chinese people from the East Indies to mainland China by the Dutch authorities.
As economic expansion facilitated trade and movement of people between mainland China and the East Indies in the early 20th century, Dutch colonial authorities relaxed regulations on free movement of non-Europeans. The Dutch consulates in China began registering Chinese people from the East Indies, who were required to show passports issued by the Dutch authorities to prove that they were Netherlands "subjects" based on diplomatic agreements between Dutch and Chinese authorities.
During my time at the IIAS, I plan to collect and examine records from Ministries and Dutch Consulates in several cities in China to explore the peculiarities of colonial passports and their function as official identity documents for Chinese people.