W&N Announces a Bold and Timely Exploration of ESEA Identity in Britain with Anna Sulan Masing’s Chinese And Any Other Asian
As we welcome the Year of the Dragon—a symbol of strength, transformation, and fearless expression—there’s no better time to spotlight the voices shaping the cultural conversation. On February 6, 2025, W&N will release Chinese And Any Other Asian, a groundbreaking and deeply personal work by Dr. Anna Sulan Masing that unpacks what it means to be East and South East Asian (ESEA) in Britain today.
For centuries, East and South East Asian communities have woven themselves into the fabric of British society—through art, literature, food, and music—yet their stories are often marginalized or flattened into simplistic narratives. Even now, on UK forms requiring ethnic identification, individuals of ESEA heritage are offered only two tick-box options: ‘Chinese’ or ‘Any Other Asian.’
Anna Sulan Masing challenges this reductive categorization with a compelling and urgent investigation into identity, visibility, and belonging. Drawing from history, lived experiences, and cultural analysis, she crafts a powerful narrative that celebrates the nuance, complexity, and resilience of ESEA communities in Britain.
From the overlooked contributions of ESEA soldiers in the World Wars to the insidious microaggressions that persist today, Chinese And Any Other Asian is as much a celebration of heritage as it is a call for recognition and change. Through personal storytelling and sharp cultural critique, Masing brings to light the challenges and triumphs of a community that has long shaped Britain’s creative and cultural landscape.
As Lunar New Year festivities unfold across the UK, this book arrives as a timely and vital addition to the ongoing conversation about identity and representation. Whether you’re an artist, writer, historian, or simply someone who believes in the power of diverse narratives, Chinese And Any Other Asian is a must-read for 2025.
About the Author:
Dr. Anna Sulan Masing is an academic, poet, and journalist. She is the co-founder of SOURCED, a public research platform exploring global food and drink systems, and editor-in-chief of Cheese magazine. Her podcast Taste of Place delves into colonialism and nostalgia through the history of pepper. Masing’s work has appeared in BBC World Table, CNN, The Guardian, Foodism, and Waitrose, among others. Her research into storytelling, migration, and identity draws from her own Iban heritage, making her a uniquely positioned voice in the discussion on ESEA identity today.
Chinese And Any Other Asian by Anna Sulan Masing will be published in hardback by W&N on February 6, 2025. £20 | 240 pages | ISBN: 9781399606653
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.