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The article deals with the intellectual, ethical and career path problems of anthropologists in China, in response to a paper by Gordon Matthews about East Asian anthropology. Topics discussed the influence of Western model of anthropology on Chinese anthropology, the role of technological and economic factors in decolonizing anthropology in East Asia, and the use of the English language. The initiative of Chinese anthropologists to create an identity is mentioned.

The article focuses on the evolution of anthropology as a scholarly discipline in East Asia, in response to a paper by Gordon Matthews on the interconnection between global and East Asian anthropologies. It is argued that Matthews has failed to discern the academic training of the founders of East Asian anthropologies and the role of Chinese anthropologists in helping the growth of the discipline. The use of both university-ranking systems and scholarly performance evaluations is mentioned.

The article focuses on the concept of global anthropology and the place of an East Asian anthropology and anthropologists within this framework. Topics discussed include the experience of the author as an anthropologist in Hong Kong, the impact of economic development and technological innovation on the study of anthropology, and the reasons East Asia is not yet ready to assume leadership role in anthropology. The factors that would help create a common East Asian anthropology are mentioned.

A review of the article "East Asian Anthropology in the World," by Gordon Matthew, which appeared in this issue of "American Anthropologist."