Nineteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

The intricate dynamics of cross-Taiwan strait mobility, external ethnic membership, and onward migration prospects among Taiwanese businesspeople in China and Chinese students in Taiwan present a unique lens through which to examine the interplay of geopolitical conditions, national identity, and migration strategies. This study delves into how these two groups navigate their complex socio-cultural and political landscapes, highlighting the role of policies, legal frameworks, and the geopolitical environment in shaping their experiences and identities. Through 18 semi-structured interviews, this paper unveils the multifaceted nature of their mobility, identity construction, and integration within the context of the historical and political divide between China and Taiwan. It introduces the concept of “jigsaw migration” as a strategy employed by these migrants to navigate fragmented citizenship, leveraging their position to forum shop for resources across borders. This research contributes to the discourse on flexible citizenship and stepwise migration by exploring the nuanced ways in which Taiwanese businesspeople and Chinese students employ their mobility and external ethnic membership towards pragmatic self-identification and socioeconomic gains in a transnational context. Additionally, it sheds light on the differential empowerment by both governments, influencing their trajectories towards wider global arenas. This research enriches our understanding of cross-strait relations and the broader implications of geopolitical mobility and identity in contested geopolitical spaces, offering insights into the dynamic boundaries of nation-states and the reconfiguration of personal identities amidst geopolitical tensions.