Introduction

Abstract

Emigration from China has reached unprecedented levels since the onset of the reforms in 1978, and the liberalization of migration with the emigration law of 1985. After decades of effective migration controls, Chinese people have again gained considerable freedom to move to destinations that offer the prospect of a better life. In part, the upsurge in Chinese emigration is but an extension of the massive population transfers taking place in China itself that involve tens of millions of people.1 Currently, China is experiencing a migration transition in the context of economic and social development similar to, but much more rapid and intense than, that of other developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.