Krzysztof Kardaszewicz, Małgorzata Wrotek.
2020.
Beyond the “bread with butter”: changing realities of economic integration among the Chinese and the Vietnamese diaspora in Poland
CMR Working Papers 121(179)
Abstract
Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants were long understood through their ethnic enclave
activity, and considered as economic migrants focused on wealth generation, without much
desire for deeper social or economic integration. We draw on results of a quantitative study to
challenge these assumptions and to analyse the significance of both economic and noneconomic
factors in shaping intentions to stay. We first place our discussion within literature
on economic migrations from East Asia, and discuss how in line with their growing
diversification, the Chinese and Vietnamese economic integration in Poland might take place
beyond traditional activity centred around the ethnic enclave economy. We then bring attention
to the growing importance of non-economic factors, which play a significant role in
professional and livelihood decision-making. Unlike earlier migration waves, both groups
attach significant importance to non-economic aspects of life in Poland, including a good
environment for rising children and access to public services, such as education or the
healthcare system. For both groups, these factors make Poland an attractive destination and
might compensate for the lower salaries or limited opportunities for professional development.
Our research also shows that economic integration, as measured by work outside of the ethnic
enclave economy and by economic success (job satisfaction or higher income) was not relevant
for settlement plans among either the Chinese or the Vietnamese
Keywords
China, Vietnam, integration, settlement, migration
