This paper is an empirical study of Chinese business networks in East and Southeast Asia，focusing particularly on the case of the Nagasaki Chinese merchant house Taiyihao. Through this case study，the following basic historical facts have been confirmed. Trading networks developed by Chinese merchants in premodern times have existed at least from the opening of Japan’s ports until the early twentieth century；and they have remained vigorous under modern conditions. These highly resilient and flexible Chinese business networks have，along with cotemporary Chinese migration and social organizations，finances，and communication networks，built a regional order in East and Southeast Asia and provided spontaneous energy that has formed regional relationships based on principles that contrast with those behind the modern Western international order and the colonial order. This case provides grounds to break free from the established views of the impact of the West and Asia’s response，to prioritize the autonomy and continuity of the history of Asia.