African Migrants in Hong Kong: Contributions to development in countries of origin
Author
Chazalnoel Traore, Mariam
Term
4. term
Publication year
2009
Abstract
Tættere forbindelser mellem Kina og Afrika har gjort tovejstrafikken af migranter mere synlig. Forskningen i kinesiske miljøer i Afrika vokser, men afrikanske migranter i Kina — især i Hongkong — er stadig dårligt belyst. Strømme fra Afrika til Kina tiltager. Mange rejser frem og tilbage (cirkulær migration), men flere bliver nu længere. Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan mere etablerede afrikanske migranter i Hongkong bidrager eller kan bidrage til social og økonomisk udvikling i deres hjemlande. Den udfordrer en snæver, neoliberalt inspireret forståelse af udvikling, der primært fokuserer på markeder og vækst, og ser i stedet udvikling som bredere sociale forandringer, som migration påvirker. Ud fra dette perspektiv bidrager Hongkongs spirende afrikanske fællesskab tydeligt til udvikling i hjemlandene. Selvom de ikke kan påvirke de store økonomiske systemer, skaber deres tilstedeværelse mærkbare lokale effekter. Deres erfaringer omformer også migrationsvalg i oprindelseslandene: netværk opstår, og potentielle migranter ser mod øst for at forfølge reelle økonomiske muligheder. Det afrikanske fællesskab i Hongkong hænger tæt sammen med det bredere Kina–Afrika-samarbejde; økonomiske og politiske skift i partnerskabet former omfang og karakter af afrikansk migration. Nogle politiske tiltag og fortællinger risikerer at fremstille afrikanske migranter som irregulære eller uønskede. Alligevel udfordrer afrikaneres initiativ og succes i Kina disse stereotyper og viser migration som en positiv historie.
Closer China–Africa ties have made two-way migration more visible. Research on Chinese communities in Africa is growing, but African migrants in China—especially in Hong Kong—remain understudied. Flows from Africa to China are increasing. Many migrants move back and forth (circular migration), yet more are now staying for longer periods. This thesis examines how these more settled African migrants in Hong Kong do or could support social and economic development in their home countries. It challenges a narrow, neoliberal view of development that focuses mainly on markets and growth, and instead understands development as broader social change shaped by migration. From this perspective, Hong Kong’s emerging African community clearly contributes to development at home. Although they cannot steer major economic systems, their presence generates tangible local effects. Their experiences also reshape migration decisions in origin countries: networks form, and prospective migrants look east to pursue real economic opportunities. The African community in Hong Kong is closely linked to the wider China–Africa partnership; economic and political shifts in this relationship shape the scale and character of African migration. Some policies and narratives risk portraying African migrants as irregular or unwanted. Yet the everyday initiative and success of Africans in China challenge these stereotypes and present migration as a positive story.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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