Speaker: Zai Liang, Distinguished Professor of Sociology, SUNY Albany

Moderator: Yao Lu, Professor of Sociology, Columbia University

In this presentation, Dr. Zai Liang will report findings from a recent project on international migration in China using multiple sources (Chinese Population Censuses, surveys, and fieldwork). He will first review the larger contexts of China that are conducive for international migration, which include rising economy prosperity, “The Belt and Road Initiative”, and China’s attempt to become a leader for international higher education. Dr. Liang plans to summarize two recent studies by his research team: one focusing on broad temporal and spatial patterns of international migrants and the other on a new global neighborhood in China. The macro perspective reveals some expected as well as surprising findings. The micro perspective suggests a new way to facilitate settlement of China’s international migrants.

This event is part of the 2023-2024 lecture series on “Labor Market Transformations in China" and is hosted by the Weatherhead East Asian Institute and cosponsored by Columbia's China Center for Social Policy.