Introduction

In addition to offering a roadmap of the book, the introduction argues that rather than being merely a destination, China is, in the journeys of many foreigners, a platform. By doing this, the novel approach that this book offers is emphasised: the need to rethink/reconsider the dynamics behind African presence in the country in light of a critical take on knowledge production about subjects on the move and of the literature of transnational mobility. I will also provide a current snapshot of the on-the-ground situation in terms of individuals and communities.