China

doi:10.1017/9781009531986.005

5 - China

Focusing on Low-Cost and Low-Key Administrative and Diplomatic Initiatives

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 December 2024

Andrea Ghiselli

Edited by

Klaus Brummer and

Šumit Ganguly

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Klaus Brummer: Affiliation:
Katholische Universiteit Eichstätt, Germany
Šumit Ganguly: Affiliation:
Hoover Institution, Stanford University, California

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Summary

Chinese nationals working, studying, and living overseas have always been an important issue for Chinese policy-makers, who have adopted a variety of policies to protect, support, attract back, and monitor them. This first section of this chapter provides an overview of the presence of Chinese nationals overseas, where they are mostly located, and the factors that shape their presence. It then analyzes the main regulatory and diplomatic efforts made by the Chinese state to protect them. The policies adopted by the Chinese government to support and manage the Chinese diaspora, as well as lure back those highly educated nationals who are seen as an important source of innovation for the Chinese economy are discussed in the second half of the chapter. This discussion is followed by an analysis of the evolution of China’s military activities aimed at protecting Chinese citizens overseas. Overall, it emerges that the Chinese state has invested significant bureaucratic and diplomatic resources in these activities, preferring to keep a low profile in military terms.

Keywords

China consular protection diaspora economic development interests overseas

Type: Chapter
Information: States and their Nationals Abroad
Support, Co-Opt, Repress
, pp. 107 - 130

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009531986.005 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2024

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