Abstract
In the context of globalization, ethnic enclave phenomena have become increasingly significant in geographical research. As the largest Korean ethnic enclave in China, Wangjing serves as a major settlement area for both Chinese Koreans and Korean nationals, presenting distinct characteristics compared to other ethnic enclaves worldwide. This study incorporates the dynamic process of Chinese Koreans’ migration to Korean ethnic enclaves into its scope, focusing on the social integration, local perception, and internal social-spatial differentiation of three groups within the international community of Wangjing’s “Koreatown”: Koreans, Chinese Koreans, and non-Koreans. The research reveals that factors such as the financial crisis, the THAAD incident, and industrial transformation in Wangjing have led to a significant reduction in the Korean population, with ethnic Korean economic facilities transitioning towards localization, serving non-ethnic groups as tourist destinations and sites for exotic experiences, resulting in the gradual labeling of “Koreatown.” Additionally, although the three groups share similar residential and activity spaces, limited communication exists between Koreans and non-Korean Chinese due to language barriers, cultural differences, and lifestyle habits, resulting in a lack of interaction and communication in neighborhood relations. Conversely, Chinese Koreans, who possess dual ethnic attributes and serve as mediators between Chinese and Korean residents, experience partial resistance and partial integration. Thus, social integration among the three groups in Wangjing’s Korean ethnic enclave manifests as superficial integration and implicit segregation.
Presenters
Yaohui SuStudent, PhD Candidate, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
SOCIAL INTEGRATION DYNAMICS, CHINESE KOREATOWN, ETHNIC ENCLAVE SPACES, MOBILITY
