Hui family migration in Northwest China: patterns, experiences and social capital

Based on an extensive questionnaire survey in three cities in Northwest China, this article identifies the factors influencing the sole, couple and family migration of Han and Hui. We find that Han migrants are more utility-oriented and tend to circulate among different places in order to maximize their utility. Hui migrants are more likely to seek opportunities to settle in destinations with their families. They rely on Hui communities and dedicate themselves to creating networks and accumulating social capital for their families. We suggest that the accumulation of bonding capital does not necessarily suggest the increase or decrease of bridging capital. Moreover, the ethnic community should be regarded neither in negative nor positive terms but rather as a coin with two sides, pro and con. The ethnic community is a vessel, which migrants can use for minimizing risks, improving livelihoods and fostering the settlement of families.