Introduction: Background, approach, and contributions
The emergence of the “new migrants” (xin yimin 新移民) since economic reform in 1978 has been accompanied by a growing number of new migrant voluntary organisations globally. Whereas the older organisations were constituted along the “intersecting” “segments” of dialect, surname, and region, these newer organisations also include alumni and professional organisations, among others (Crissman 1967). Also, whereas older organisations – long considered one of the three main pillars of Chinese communities, together with schools and newspapers – were created in the context of sojourning under harsh conditions, these new migrant organisations emerged in the setting of China’s economic ascent and globalisation (Zhuang 2010: 10). The older organisations provided mutual aid and protection, resolved disputes, and mediated between the Chinese community and local rulers. Furthermore, they connected migrants with their hometowns through remittance...