ABSTRACT
In Chinese, ‘playing edge ball’ is a popular saying meaning an activity intended to challenge the existing rules and avoid punishment. Originally, ‘edge ball’ was a term used in table tennis. If the on-coming ball hit only the edge of the tabletop, it would be almost impossible for the receiver to return the ball; thus, the player who successfully hit the edge ball would win the point. It is a great challenge to both hit and receive an edge ball. Therefore the term ‘playing edge ball’ is often used to connote people who try to gain profit at the edge of the law or regulation while avoiding punishment. In today’s China, the transnational migration mechanism is just like a field where the relevant people play edge ball on purpose.
