The kongsi republics, also known as kongsi democracies or kongsi federations, were self-governing states in Borneo that formed as federations of Chinese mining communities known as kongsis. By the mid-nineteenth century, the kongsi republics controlled most of western Borneo. The three largest kongsi republics were the Lanfang Republic, the (Fosjoen), and the Santiaogou Federation (Samtiaokioe) after it had split from the Heshun.