Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong Immigration to British Columbia - Essay Example

Task: Chinese Mainland Immigration and Hong Kong immigration to British Columbia Introduction Chinese immigrants constitute a significant population in British Columbia. Presently, estimates indicate that over 1,000,000 Chinese live in B.C. This presents an accumulated population of intermittent immigrations within a definite period. It is apparent that multifaceted factors including the social-economic and political attributes have enhanced such immigration processes. However, critical examinations of the immigrations indicate that political factors were major contributory factors to the process. As such, this paper examines the Mainland and the Hong Kong immigration to B.C and explores the influence of political processes on such immigrations. Comparison of immigration of Chinese from Mainland and Hong Kong The Hong Kong immigrations Hong Kong was the prime source of immigrants to BC in the year 1997 with the process hugely determined by political processes. Individuals who had left the city to avoid the colonial authority dominated the Hong Kong group1. Indeed, the immigrants found the colonial rule unbearable; hence, opted to migrate to BC. The handover of 1997 could have considerably influenced the movements. Consequently, the number of Hong Kong immigrants to the B.C increased from the year 1987; thus, reaching the peak in 1994 since B.C received over 16 000 immigrates. By this year, Hong Kong accounted for about 34 % of the total immigrants received by the B.C. The process of immigration based on uncertainty in the mother country did not characterize the Hong Kong migrations. Apparently, the able and qualified individuals had already migrated by the 1997 handover. The visa applications information in B.C indicates that the region recorded the maximum applicants between 1989 and 1991. This declined later reaching the minimum threshold in the year 1993 and recovered slightly by 19952. Notably, Hong Kong residents seeking immigration to B.C in the first quarter of 1997 were considerably fewer than 1996. Hong Kong’s immigrants focusing on business exuded patterns that were closely correlated with the 1997 handover. As such, the number of Hong Kong investors was highest in the period 1992-94 and tended to decline towards 1997. The declining trend of the immigrants and investments highlight the role of the political forces in shaping the Hong Kong’s immigrations3. An explanation of the recorded trend is that investment to the B.C was high in earlier years because of the political instability in Hong Kong; however, towards the 1997 handover, the foreign investments went down because Hong Kong Investors started to concentrate on local ventures. Under social perspectives, the Hong Kong immigrations were not highly influenced by the handover. The family and career oriented immigrants were mainly influenced by regulatory changes in the B.C4. For instance, an adjustment of the accompanying children regulation in the year 1992 enhanced the process. Consequently, the B.C recorded a growth in the number of people landing from the Hong Kong under the family category in the year 1992. Notably, anticipation of these adjustments influenced the immigrations since the number of Hong Kong seeking residency in B.C started to increase a few years prior to the 1992 declaration. The Mainland Immigrations After the handover, the situation changed as the China-mainland assumed the earlier position of the Hong Kong. As noticed in 1998, the China-mainland became the Chief source of the B.C immigrants supplying the region with about 5,744 persons in the year. This population accounted for about 16 % of the total immigrants in the region. The mainland immigrants endorsed some traits presented by the Hong Kong immigrants5. Indeed, political forces played a crucial position in the mainland migrations in a different context. Notably, the mainland migration does not greatly uphold the family-based migrations presented by the Hong Kong. Interestingly, the progressive growth of the Chinese economy significantly influenced the mainland immigrations. This is apparent in the number of immigrants arriving in B.C with the intention of trading.6 Although B.C still records low numbers of commercial immigrants from China, their numbers has grown in the last years. Importantly, the trend of influxes from Chinese mainland is definable by the growth of the Chinese-Canadians society in B.C. The educated immigrants who settled in B.C earlier are participating in the political processes actively. This position continues to attract more immigrants to the region7. Immigrants from Chinese mainland demand attention not by considering their numbers only since they should continue being the prime source of immigrants in B.C. This would lead to the growth of Chinese-Canadian society. Unlike the Hong Kong immigrations, the mainland immigrations are characterized by diversity. These immigrations processes present assorted groups that come from all parts of the China land. The group has remarkable differences in cultures; however, they all have a common mentality shaped by the experience of individuals residing in the B.C Republic. The quest for the American lifestyle strongly influenced the mainland immigrations. A significant difference exists in the motivation behind the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese. Earlier immigrants of 1970s focused on establishing family reunions; however, the situation changed from the year 1980. The percentage of the Chinese immigrants under the family class declined from 92 % in the 1980s to 38% in the 1990s8. This asserts that the influencing forces were changing in the late years. Consequently, immigrations from the mainland are not definable using social influences like in the case with Hong Kong. Although many mainland immigrants prefer foreign governance, they fail to comprehend the Chinese political instability. A considerable number of mainland immigrants argue that they mainly migrate from their country to flee from the polluted and overcrowded cities in their motherland9. Additionally, a substantial group observes the Chinese government fails to accord the appropriate respect to the public regulations; hence, the governance process is corrupt and promotes brutal practices. Evidently, immigrations from the mainland constitute of rational and informed individuals; hence, it is more organized. Notably, the Chinese governance process creates an environment that influences mainland immigration. A Contrast of the immigration of Chinese from Mainland and Hong Kong Most of the Chinese who moved to British Columbia from the mainland China originated from Guangdong and the Fujian provinces. They were migrants motivated by the search for employment opportunities especially for the skilled laborers. In contrast, Hong Kong immigrants were escaping from harsh political persecutions in their countries that denied them some of their basic rights. Inequalities in their country subjected them to mistreatment by the authorities10. On the contrary, the Chinese from Hong Kong to British Columbia (BC) were motivated by the “gold rush” mentality11. Their movement from their origin realm had no political influence as the case of the Chinese migration from Hong Kong. In Columbia, the Chinese from Hong Kong faced resistance compared to those who migrated in the past. Earlier, the political structures were less concerned with issues of immigration at the time the Chinese were moving from the mainland china12. Later, the situation changed during the immigration of Chinese from Hong Kong. The government of the destination territory introduced laws in place that hindered free movement of migrants within their territories as the case in British Columbia. The migration of the Chinese from the mainland took place before the introduction of immigration laws. Their movement was by rail transport prior to their arrival at Vancouver BC in the late nineteenth century. The Chinese from the mainland were welcomed unlike those who moved from Hong Kong who experienced challenges moving to their destination areas. Indeed, Hong Kong immigrants were escaping from harsh political realities from their territories to seek freedom in foreign land. However, they equally searched for economic liberation in such areas13. Interestingly, there was a restriction of movement of mainland Chinese to Hong Kong. Most of immigrants to British Columbia emerged from political uncertain situations in their countries. For example, the immigrants from Hong Kong were anxious of the possibilities that might have happened in case Hong Kong returned to the mainland. They chose to move out of the country willingly. According to Reimer,14 countries such Canada had policies that welcomed immigrants who could enhance productivity in the country. Furthermore, the British Columbia territories were soliciting for cheap labor. As such, the immigrant took advantage of such an opportunity to escape to their country. Most of these events happened during the early nineties, whereas the movement of Chinese from mainland china to the BC took place earlier15. The economic stability in Canada also enticed the movement of such immigrants who chose to develop their investments in British Columbia. The Chinese who migrated from the mainland china moved when the process constituted a political offense16. The authorities in mainland china intended to punish citizens who chose to move away from the mainland china. This was a means of preserving their cultural traces. Unfair working conditions due to injustices by the authorities led to the movement from mainland china17 . Mostly, the Chinese in Canada were merchants. There were instances that Chinese representations in political positions were recognized. However, the Chinese in these regions did not enjoy some of their rights such as having their families joining them in BC. Conclusion Evidently, the Hong Kong and the mainland immigrants conform to varying ideologies that propagate immigration. However, it is apparent that political factors occupy a central position in influencing migration processes presented by the two groups. Notably, these political influences entail the colonial, Chinese governance and the B.C regulations. The handover of the governance to Chinese had a straightforward effect on the Hong Kong immigrations while the mainland immigrations are defined by the situation presented by Chinese government. 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