Conditional loyalty and exit: explaining the emigration of wealthy Chinese after the 2012 leadership change

Chau, G. W.F. and Gherghina, S. (2024) Conditional loyalty and exit: explaining the emigration of wealthy Chinese after the 2012 leadership change. Diaspora Studies, (doi: 10.1163/09763457-bja10081)

Abstract

This article aims to explain the emigration of wealthy Chinese citizens after the 2012 political leadership change, with reference to Hirschman’s model. It builds on the concepts of loyalty and exit in the context of an authoritarian regime with rapid economic growth, to offer insights into the self-declared reasons behind the emigration of these people from China. Based on evidence from 25 semi-structured interviews conducted in 2021 with Chinese emigrants, the analysis outlines the intricate interplay between economic opportunities and the level of control within an authoritarian regime as a cause for emigration.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: emigration, wealth, politics, loyalty, China.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gherghina, Dr Sergiu
• Authors: Chau, G. W.F., and Gherghina, S.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
• Journal Name: Diaspora Studies
• Publisher: Brill
• ISSN: 0973-9572
• ISSN (Online): 0976-3457
• Published Online: 19 February 2024
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2024 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Diaspora Studies 2024
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence