This article is a comparative study of two Chinese communities in two countries that differ in their history and their political direction when it comes to immigration: Canada and France. Although it neither concludes their independence nor the disappearance of the role of national states, the article points out many similarities in the structure, organization and internal economy relying on cross-border ethnic networks. * Ce manuscrit a ete soumis en mai 2004, resoumis sous une forme revisee en decembre 2005 et en janvier 2007, et accepte en mai 2007. Contact : natalien2002ca@yahm.ca.