Abstract
This study theorizes double diaspora based on the experiences of Chinese Canadians in Beijing who had previously immigrated to Canada from China and later returned. The study reveals that Chinese Canadians are increasingly internationally mobile as a result of globalization, modern communications and transportation. Their transnational migration experiences can be classified as “double diaspora”—a hybrid experience that transcends boundaries of ethnicity and nationalism. The double diaspora is characterized by a number of dualities as both Chinese and Canadian, living in Chinese and Canadian diaspora, simultaneously diasporas and returnees, playing a double role as cultural and economic brokers between Canada and China. The double diaspora views the diaspora sojourn as neither unidirectional nor final, but rather as multiple and circular. It rejects the primordial notion of diaspora and theorizes diaspora as heterogeneous and conflictual forms of sociality. This study provides an alternative framework in understanding transnational migration and representing multiple ways of affiliations and belonging.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
All interviewees’ names are pseudonyms.
References
Anthias, F. (1998). Evaluating ‘diaspora’: beyond ethnicity? Sociology, 32(3), 557–580.
Anthias, F. (2001). New hybridities, old concepts: the limits of ‘culture’. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 24(4), 619–641.
APFC. (2011). Canadians abroad: Canada’s global asset. Vancouver: Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
Brubaker, R. (2005). The ‘diaspora’ diaspora. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 28(1), 1–19.
Butler, K. D. (2001). Defining diaspora, refining a discourse. Diaspora: A Journal of Transnational Studies, 10(2), 189–219
Cheng, L. (2008). Will China’s “lost generation” find a path to democracy? In L. Cheng (Ed.), China’s changing political landscape: prospects for democracy (pp. 98–117). Washington: Brookings Institution Press.
Christofi, V., & Thompson, C. L. (2007). You cannot go home again: a phenomenological investigation of returning to the sojourn country after studying abroad. Journal of Counseling & Development, 85, 53–63.
Cohen, R. (2008). Global diaspora: an introduction (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.
Fontana, A., & Frey, J. H. (2005). The interview: from natural science to political involvement. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), SAGE handbook of qualitative research (pp. 695–728). Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.
Gaw, K. F. (2000). Reverse culture shock in students returning from overseas. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 24, 83–104.
Guarnizo, L. E., & Smith, M. P. (2006). The locations of transnationalism. In M. P. Smith & L. E. Guarnizo (Eds.), Transnationalism from below (pp. 3–34). New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers.
Guo, S. (2009). Difference, deficiency, and devaluation: tracing the roots of non/recognition of foreign credentials for immigrant professionals in Canada. Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education, 22(1), 37–52.
Guo, S. (2010). Toward recognitive justice: emerging trends and challenges in transnational migration and lifelong learning. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 29(2), 149–167.
Guo, S. (2013). Economic integration of recent Chinese immigrants in Canada’s second-tier cities: the triple glass effect and immigrants’ downward social mobility. Canadian Ethnic Studies, 45(3), 95–115.
Guo, S., & DeVoretz, D. (2006). Chinese immigrants in Vancouver: Quo vadis? Journal of International Migration and Integration, 7(4), 425–447.
Ho, E. L. (2008). “Flexible citizenship” or familial ties that bind? Singaporean transmigrants in London. International Migration, 46(4), 145–175.
Kivisto, P. (2001). Theorizing transnational immigration: a critical review of current efforts. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 24(4), 549–577.
Knott, K., & McLoughlin, S. (2010). Introduction. In K. Knott & S. McLoughlin (Eds.), Diasporas: concepts, intersections, identities (pp. 1–16). London: Zed Books.
Ley, D., & Kobayashi, A. (2005). Back in Hong Kong: return migration or transnational sojourn? Metropolis British Columbia Working Paper Series # 05–09. Vancouver: Metropolis British Columbia.
Li, P. S. (2008). Immigration from China to Canada in the age of globalization: issues of brain gain and brain loss. Pacific Affairs, 81(2), 217–239.
Lie, J. (1995). From international migration to transnational diaspora. Contemporary Sociology, 24(4), 303–306.
Ma Mung, E. (1998). Groundlessness and utopia: the Chinese diaspora and territory. In E. Sinn (Ed.), The last half century of overseas Chinese (pp. 35–47). Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.
Ma Mung, E. (2004). Dispersal as a resource. Diaspora: A Journal of Transnational Studies, 13(2/3), 211–225.
Mahler, S. J. (2006). Theoretical and empirical contributions toward a research agenda for transnationalism. In M. P. Smith & L. E. Guarnizo (Eds.), Transnationalism from below (pp. 64–100). New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers.
Portes, A. (1999). Conclusion: towards a new world—the origin and effects of transnational activities. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 22(2), 463–477.
Portes, A., Guarnizo, L. E., & Landolt, P. (1999). The study of transnationalism: pitfalls and promise of an emergent research field. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 22(2), 217–237.
Reitz, J. G. (2001). Immigrant skill utilization in the Canadian labour market: implications of human capital research. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 2(3), 347–378.
Safran, W. (1991). Diasporas in modern societies: myths of homeland and return. Diaspora: A Journal of Transnational Studies, 1(1), 83–99.
Satzewick, V., & Liodakis, N. (2007). Race and ethnicity in Canada: a critical introduction. Don Mills: Oxford University Press.
Saxenian, A. L. (2005). From brain drain to brain circulation: transnational communities and regional upgrading in India and China. Studies in Comparative International Development, 40(2), 35–61.
Statistics Canada. (2003). Longitudinal survey of immigrants to Canada: process, progress and prospects. Ottawa: Statistics Canada.
Statistics Canada. (2011). Income in Canada 2009. Ottawa: Statistics Canada.
Wahlbeck, Ö. (2002). The concept of diaspora as an analytical tool in the study of refugee communities. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 28(2), 221–238.
Wang, H., Zweig, D., & Lin, X. (2011). Returnee entrepreneurs: impact on China’s globalization process. Journal of Contemporary China, 20(70), 413–431.
Werbner, P. (2010). Complex diasporas. In K. Knott & S. McLoughlin (Eds.), Diasporas: concepts, intersections, identities (pp. 74–78). London: Zed Books.
Wong, L., & Satzewich, V. (2006). Introduction: the meaning and significance of transnationalism. In V. Satzewich & L. Wong (Eds.), Transnational identities and practices in Canada (pp. 1–16). Toronto: Vancouver UBC Press.
Zweig, D., Chen, C., & Rosen, S. (2004). Globalization and transnational human capital: overseas and returner scholars to China. The China Quarterly, 179, 735–757.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Guo, S. From International Migration to Transnational Diaspora: Theorizing “Double Diaspora” from the Experience of Chinese Canadians in Beijing. Int. Migration & Integration 17, 153–171 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-014-0383-z
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-014-0383-z