Revisiting the Issue of Migration Processes in China

This chapter is devoted to migration processes in China. Migration processes have a huge impact on the economic and political life of society. This determines the relevance of their research. It is noted that in the history of China, five stages of migration processes can be roughly distinguished: from ancient times to the end of the nineteenth century—the first stage; the second lasted until the formation of the People’s Republic of China; the third stage—from 1949 to 1978; the fourth is the period until the end of the twentieth century; and the fifth stage is the “new” wave from the end of the twentieth—beginning of the twenty-first century. The characteristics of each stage are given; their features are revealed. Due attention is paid to the migration flows of China to Vietnam, Russia, and the United States from ancient times to the end of the nineteenth century. It talks about a number of privileges of the Chinese in Vietnam, as well as Russia’s positive policy toward Chinese migrants and the significant contribution of the Chinese to the development of the Far East until the twentieth century. It is concluded that Chinese migration to Russia was beneficial for both states at that time. Regarding Chinese migration to the United States, its negative nature is revealed. The chapter talks about the migration processes of China throughout the twentieth century, which covers the second stage, characterized by massive numbers, and the third stage, a ban on migration. The reasons (demographic situation, unemployment, the emergence of a new Chinese economy) and features of the fourth stage of migration are revealed. Particular attention is paid to the “new” wave of Chinese internal migration and its specifics, and it also talks about four groups of regions that differ in positive and negative trends in population influx. When considering the “new” external Chinese migration, its main directions are indicated, and changes in the characteristics of Chinese migration itself are noted. In conclusion, the chapter draws a number of conclusions regarding migration processes in China, one of which can be called the PRC’s desire to actively support compatriots abroad. Thus, we can say that in general today, China’s migration policy and migration processes are aimed at uniting and strengthening the unity of the Chinese nation.