Two logics of Chinese transnationalism: the case of gangpiao and Hong Kong

Chinese migrations and the development of overseas Chinese communities have aroused scholarly concerns over the past two decades. Their scale, scope and varied features stun and perplex many scholars. Among the linguistic terms about contemporary Chinese transnationalism, the term piao (drifting) rises to prominence and characterizes the new logics of migration. This article is a case study of the educated mainland Chinese youth in Hong Kong, locally coined as ‘gangpiao’ (Hong Kong Drifters). I argue that there are two contradictory logics inherent to this form of sino-centric transnationalism. It testifies to the production of neo-liberal subjectivity, practices, and desires in compliance with China’s authoritarian capitalism, on the one hand, and critical internationalism in defiance of the state power, on the other. The former is a disengaged form of cosmopolitanism while the latter serves as an alternative but risky way of political engagement.