The Chinese diaspora’s engagement with transnational narrative galaxies

China is a much more active player in the lives of Chinese diasporas than it has been in recent decades. In this paper, based on rich empirical material, we depart from the dominant approach that dissects China’s practices of direct digital diaspora engagement and take a new perspective. Focusing on broader multilingual transnational narrative galaxies, we argue that while processes of selective diaspora engagement with China do take place, they also result from diasporic participation in transnational narrative galaxies not specifically targeted at diasporics. In a binary global discursive context that requires everyone, and especially diasporics, to take sides, narratives critical of the US-dominated world order have a greater impact on the young adult Chinese diasporics discussed here than any direct attempt by the Chinese party-state to engage its diaspora. In turn, China’s ability to capitalise on narratives and actors also facilitates diasporic participation in the Chinese transnational space.