ABSTRACT
China is experiencing its third wave of emigration since 1949 and is the largest source of immigrants in the world. The first two waves were the emigration of students overseas in the 1980s and the emigration of technical professionals in the 1990s. Quite unlike the first two waves, however, most current emigrants neither speak English well nor have the ability to assimilate into foreign cultures. In fact, many do not necessarily desire to physically relocate. Rather, foreign permanent residency is seen as a safety net of sorts, an option that can be exercised in the future if their current situations degrade. Many are trying to attain foreign permanent resident status1 by investing in foreign assets while still living and working in China.2 Therefore, we feel it is more appropriate to call this third wave “faux emigration.”
