This introduced an image of an aggressive or malignant northern power(China) into the culture and even collective memories of some Southeast Asian societies, notably in Vietnam and Myanmar. China's historical links with Southeast Asia had also an ethnic dimension. While strong dynasties did not endorse the migration of Chinese to Southeast Asia and even classified those who left as deserters, many Chinese, especially the poor or under-privileged from Guangdong and Fujian did migrate to greener pastures elsewhere, mainly to the Americas and to what was called Nanyang, when the dynasty was weak and when European colonies needed cheap labor for development. In fact, migration to Southeast Asia