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Abstract
Through an analysis of a pollution-based incident at Refinery-G in an infamous Qiaoxiang town in Fujian, China, this paper analyses how transnational migrants participate in and influence the public management activities in their hometowns. This paper underscores four factors driving civic and political participation that emerged during the revelation, resistance, negotiation and settlement of this incident: (1) the role of the ‘leisured’ villager; (2) the role of overseas Chinese in caring for the developmental path of their hometown; (3) the role of independent civic organizations; and (4) the role of the news media in shaping public opinion. Qiaoxiang's civic participation is both more active and more effective. With the development and globalization of modern communication technology and low-cost and convenient communication and transportation systems, it is possible for overseas migrants to influence public management activities in their hometown through civic organization and political participation.
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
1. According to Chinese academics, a ‘new migrant’ is defined as ‘a migrant from Mainland China who has emigrated overseas after the beginning of the reform and opening up period’. (Zhu Citation2001, 65)
2. All names have been changed to protect privacy and anonymity.
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Notes on contributors
Sheng Lin
LIN SHENG is Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Fuzhou University.
Trent Bax
TRENT BAX is Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Ewha Womans University.