Sha, Heila (2019) Transnational marriage in Yiwu, China: trade, settlement and mobility. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. ISSN 1369-183X

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Abstract

This paper explores intermarriage between Chinese women and foreign Muslim traders in Yiwu, China through a consideration of women’s experience of uncertainty in settlement and decisions regarding migration. In so doing, it argues that intermarriage plays an important role in anchoring trading networks for the traders. However, this anchor is not firm, as such households also face significant uncertainties due to the structural constraints resulting from the unstable nature of informal trade; state migration policies, both internal and border control; and challenges from children’s education. Furthermore, migration decision-making processes are equally impacted by personal dimensions of attachment, marriage (in)stability, family orientations and perceived cultural gaps. Women are active agents in negotiating and adapting to new situations but their agency is limited by structural constraints.

Item Type:	Article
Schools and Departments:	School of Global Studies > Anthropology
Depositing User:	Sharon Krummel
Date Deposited:	29 Jan 2020 09:39
Last Modified:	29 Jan 2020 09:48
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/89621

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