This work shows how a remarkable group of ethnic Chinese families is transforming Mainland China. These enterprising leaders fled the mainland after the communist take-over and built extensive business empires throughout Southeast Asia. Thanks to the powerful ties of language and culture, these entrepreneurs are often seen as the most desirable partners for joint ventures in China, and they are responsible for much of the industrialization and modernization of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the booming costal zone of China. In the process, they are creating the fastest-growing and most competitive economy in the world, a region that will soon rival the United States and Western Europe as an economic power and compete with Japan for the number two slot in the world economy. Despite the serious domestic problems likely to arise in one or more countries within the region, overseas Chinese business families will continue to take advantage of changing threats and opportunities. Whether as friends or rivals of the bamboo network, it will be wise for businesses throughout the world to learn more about this exotic sector of the global marketplace.