Immigration in China: A Typology and Trends

Since the 1990s, immigration to China has risen and become increasingly diverse. Five broad and overlapping categories of both older and new types of immigrants can be distinguished: (i) students; (ii) professionals and entrepreneurs; (iii) Chinese return migrants; (iv) traders; and (v) cross-border migrants. In addition, contract labourers, foreign volunteers, and marriage and family migrants come to China. In recent years, immigration to China has been shaped by three partially conflicting trends. First, although the government prioritises attracting skills, technology and capital through immigration, there has been a decline in immigration from developed countries. Second, with an emphasis on preserving the Chinese nature and unity of the nation, China’s immigration policy is targeting Chinese returnees, Taiwanese, and Hong Kong and Macao residents. Third, immigration of unskilled labourers, marriage and family migrants and asylum seekers from neighbouring countries has risen.