Multi-ethnic migration in Northwest China: settlement intentions, family strategies, acculturation and power negotiations

Using the data collected, this thesis explores the settlement intentions, family strategies, acculturations strategies and power negotiations of different ethnic migrants. The major findings of the thesis can be summarized as follows. First, the settlement intentions of the migrants are influenced by the interactions of their own ethnic identity and the socio-cultural contexts of the destination cities. Second, through the study of family strategies, we find that Han migrants who are presently staying in the current city or transferring to another city are less likely to bring their families, that is to say, often the settling intention of individual Han migrants does not indicate their families’ long-term settlement plan. On the contrary, Hui migrants’ intention to stay increases the likelihood of couple and family migration. In other words, Hui migrants tend to settle down with their family members in the destination city. Third, Hui communities in the destination cities are often concentrated around the mosque. These communities are important agencies and are used to minimize risks, improve livelihoods and to find jobs and foster the settlement when Hui families move into the destinations. Fourth, the degree to which Hui migrants fabricate Hui community as an exclusionary space is depending on how Chinese authorities (re)negotiate their relationship with the Hui, and the degree to which Han is willing to be exerted by the discourse of ethnic solidarity.