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Rethinking “Chinese Community” in the Context of Transnationalism: the Case of Chinese Economic Immigrants in Canada

Author

Listed:
  • Yanqiu Rachel Zhou

    (Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition, McMaster University)

  • Lisa Watt

    (Western University)

  • William D. Coleman

    (University of Waterloo)

  • Evelyne Micollier

    (University Sorbonne Paris Cité)

  • Jacqueline Gahagan

    (Dalhousie University)

Abstract

The current research on transnationalism has paid little attention to the impacts of immigrants’ sustained ties to their homelands on their relationships with ethnic communities in the host countries. Drawing on data from a qualitative study of economic immigrants from China to Canada, this article explores the new generation of Chinese immigrants’ definitions and perceptions of and experiences with the “Chinese community” as both an ideational and an empirical entity. Having faced various barriers to settlement and integration in Canada, these individuals tend to see China as “closer” to them than the established ethnic Chinese communities in Canada when it comes to fulfilling their needs for economic security, social support and, even, a sense of belonging. The findings suggest the urgent need to understand the relationship between the new waves of immigration, the ethnic community, and transnationalism, and to reflect on the mosaic multicultural approach to ethnicity and immigrant governance in the context of diversification of diversity.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanqiu Rachel Zhou & Lisa Watt & William D. Coleman & Evelyne Micollier & Jacqueline Gahagan, 2019. "Rethinking “Chinese Community” in the Context of Transnationalism: the Case of Chinese Economic Immigrants in Canada," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 537-555, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:20:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s12134-018-0622-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-018-0622-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaohua Lin & Shaw Tao, 2012. "Transnational entrepreneurs: Characteristics, drivers, and success factors," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 50-69, March.
    2. Alexandra Wong, 2017. "Transnational real estate in Australia: new Chinese diaspora, media representation and urban transformation in Sydney's Chinatown," International Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(1), pages 97-119, January.
    3. Ana M. Ferrer & Garnett Picot & William Craig Riddell, 2014. "New Directions in Immigration Policy: Canada's Evolving Approach to the Selection of Economic Immigrants," International Migration Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(3), pages 846-867, September.
    4. Alexandra Wong, 2017. "Transnational real estate in Australia: new Chinese diaspora, media representation and urban transformation in Sydney's Chinatown," European Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 17(1), pages 97-119, January.
    5. Shibao Guo, 2016. "From International Migration to Transnational Diaspora: Theorizing “Double Diaspora” from the Experience of Chinese Canadians in Beijing," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 153-171, February.
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