We are talking about love here: Transnationalism and flexible citizenship among Chinese knowledge migrants in the Netherlands.

Abstract

This thesis is a qualitative analysis of the lives of Chinese knowledge migrants in the Netherlands. As being a relatively new and young group within the Dutch context, insight of the migration group gives information about oversee Chinese and the debate surrounding migration. On a theoretical level, this thesis examines the concepts transnationalism and flexible citizenship. But this thesis comes to the conclusion that the deep bond between Chinese knowledge migrants and China has to be explained, not through national differences, but through the differences in civilizations. The Chinese socialization mechanism is described through the eyes of Chinese knowledge migrants in concepts like Xiao. Chinese knowledge migrants go where their opportunities are greatest, but this is not something new, it is an inherent part of Chinese civilization. This flexibility makes it easy for Chinese to adapt into a new society, also in Dutch society. This leads to the question of integration. Dutch policy towards integration has become more strict; what integration should be is more defined. This opposite to Chinese knowledge migrants attitude towards integration, where emotional integration is absent. This thesis argues that we can learn from Chinese knowledge migrants when looking at integration and knowledge migration; by achieving harmony in society through a thin national identity.