Immigration has finally become a social issue worthy of discussion in China. Immigration as a social trend and privately discussed issue in China has been around for the longest time, but because there was a recent report about it in the media, the issue has finally become a publicly debated topic.

Immigration includes both migrations into and out of a country. As a country, China also has some immigrants coming into the country, in particular, it has recently seen a gradual increase of African immigrants coming into Guangzhou. Usually, however, for China, when talking about the immigration issue, what is meant is the ongoing migration out of the country. A recent report published by the Chinese Academy of Sciences entitled “Global Politics and Security” has pointed out that China is fast becoming the largest supply of immigrants to other countries – with a third big wave of immigration out of the country since the implementation of the Open Door Policy under Deng Xiaoping in the 1970s. What's more, this new wave of immigrants out of the country are different from that of the late 1970s and early 1990s; these Chinese looking to make their homes abroad are a financially successful and socially established group. This means that with the new wave of immigration, valuable human resources and capital are also being transferred out of the country.

In an open and free society, everybody is entitled a right to choose how they want to live their lives; this include moving to another country and adopting another culture living abroad. And because this is a human right, a citizen's choice to immigrate should always be regarded as that - a choice. It might be true that some of the people looking to move out of the country are those that could be indicted for graft and illegal procurement of large wealth and for fear of prosecution decides to move his/her whole family elsewhere, but in truth, these people are still few and far apart. The majority of immigrants are looking to move abroad with hopes of a better life, for themselves and for their family.

Immigration issue is a social matter and thus answers as to why more and more Chinese are looking to move abroad in spite of the recent spectacular economic developments in the country must also lie within society. Those people looking to move abroad are obviously craving aspects of a better society that are still missing in China – a better and more mature legal system, a better education system, better social benefits, less taxes, less taxes on inherited wealth, cleaner air, safer foods, better convenience when traveling to other countries, etc. And objectively speaking, the aforementioned factors are indeed what makes a better livable society 'better livable' – they correlate directly with long-term social security and happiness for individuals.

Still, immigrating to another country and choosing to adopt a whole new culture are challenging prices to pay, and yet more and more Chinese immigrants are finding themselves willing to pay the price of venturing into the strange and unknown because they feel like they're making a conscientious choice of choosing a lifestyle they want for themselves and their progeny. One cannot choose their birthplace, but one can certainly choose where to live and operate. Of course there are practical inhibitions when it comes to immigration laws of the host country and the qualifications of the individuals seeking to immigrate. Those with the wish to immigrate may not all qualify as legal immigrants to a host country, but those that do qualify, usually make a conscientious choice about their future and happiness when choosing to go abroad.

Here can be observed an obvious inconsistency when it comes to economic success and feelings of happiness and long-term social security for the future. The Chinese economy has been fast developing, and its government is fast expanding in political influence on the world front. But coupled with this fast development is also a feeling of insecurity and uncertainty for the future amongst its citizens. Chinese people are not truly moving out of their country because there is no mature legal system, no better educational system, no safe foods, and no better protection of individual rights at the moment; they're choosing to move abroad because they cannot see a foreseeable possibility in the future where these 'better livable' conditions might be met in the development of China. If these terms might be met for the future society, then people will still have hope and would choose to stay – because immigrating to another strange land has its dear prices to pay, as mentioned before. So, China, as a society, needs to ask itself why is it that its people would feel insecure about the future when the economic conditions are fast improving? Is China, then, willing to reform and build on becoming a 'better livable' society?

It is observed from the third large immigration wave out of China, that people regard financial/social success and the appeal of a better and happier life as two different goals. China is and will continue to be a place where one can achieve financial and social success. But as a country and society, it has failed to convince its citizens that it can continue to develop into a 'better livable' society in spite of being able to ensure better financial success.

Source: Modern Express 现代快报

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