The motivations and vulnerability of new Chinese immigrants in the Philippines: a human rights perspective.

Abstract

After the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and People’s Republic of China, a new wave of Chinese immigration has started. In the past three decades, the influx of these new Chinese immigrants has been felt in many of the shopping malls in the Binondo-Divisoria area. Given that the Philippines is a third world country, it has been a puzzle to many Filipinos why Chinese citizens from a developed China would choose to immigrate in the Philippines. Unfortunately, their presence in the Philippines has not been warmly welcomed by some and it has created problems not only to the Philippines but more importantly to themselves as well. New Chinese immigrants are prone to abuse and exploitation from corrupt government officials because of their engagement in the foreigner-forbidden small retail industry. The Philippines and China, being signatories of International Human Rights Conventions, however, have obligations to protect the new Chinese immigrants.

This study aims to find out not only the motivations of new Chinese immigrants to immigrate but also find out their vulnerability as foreigners in the Philippines. The author argues that new Chinese immigration is primarily motivated by better livelihood opportunities while various push and pull factors can also contribute. As for the vulnerability, the author argues that the foreigner status of new Chinese immigrants can be a source of vulnerability (powerlessness) in the Philippines and they become more vulnerable if they have irregular status—vulnerable or powerless to abuse and exploitation.