Partial Assimilation: Mainland Chinese New Migrants in Singapore

Jin Luo, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Abstract

This essay investigates the assimilation issue of new migrants born in mainland China who moved to Singapore after 1990. Through first-hand oral history interviews and a guiding theoretical model, the paper argues that despite a similar ethnic background to the majority of Singaporean residents, the new migrants are not yet fully assimilated into Singapore society.

PROFILE PICTURE

BIO

Jin Luo is a final year student at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with a major in Chinese and Bilingual Studies (Linguistics), a minor in Computing, and strong passion for social sciences. Her interests in migration, gender and languages are inspired by her studies and internships in Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing and Moscow.

REFLECTION

The author wrote this research paper for the course Migration and Diaspora: Chinese Experiences in Comparative Perspectives during an exchange semester at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. She appreciated the experience of conducting original research based on primary sources, and expresses sincere gratitude to the interviewees, noting that their voices deserve to be heard.