Kongsi

In Southeast Asia, the kongsi republics were made up of Hakka Chinese mining communities that united into political entities that functioned as self-governing states.

[5] The system of kongsi was utilized by Cantonese throughout the diaspora to overcome economic difficulty, social ostracism, and oppression.

[citation needed] In today's Cantonese communities throughout the world, this approach has been adapted to the modern environment, including political and legal factors.

[citation needed] The kongsi is similar to modern business partnerships, but also draws on a deeper spirit of cooperation and consideration of mutual welfare.

[citation needed] A vast number of Cantonese-run firms and businesses that were born as kongsi ended up as multinational conglomerates.