In American society, despite the presence of a “melting pot,” various ethnic groups and diasporas are active. Indeed, in the United States, where the entire political system is based on the principles of pluralism and democracy and where the population is composed of people from all over the world, there is a very fertile ground for the development of various diasporas. Moreover, their representatives have a tangible influence on the decision-making process, especially in foreign policy, in Washington. We are talking about ethnic lobbies who can not only defend or promote the interests of other states, but also become “emotionally involved” in foreign issues because they consider them “their own.
It is often said that this is “the most aggressive form of lobbyism, because ethnic lobbies, when they have a diaspora, are politically cohesive groups that can take an active part in the political process.
Diasporas also have their own strategy in relation to the State of residence and historical homeland. The arsenal is diverse: cooperation with international organizations, media, potential allies; direct lobbying, use of traditional and new media companies, fundraising, lawsuits, advocacy, propaganda, demonstrations, electronic communications and political participation. And in the U.S., even small diasporas have significant opportunities to influence politics (through elected representatives). Moreover, diasporas have already gained weight in foreign policy matters, especially with regard to relations with their countries of origin.
Today, the Chinese diaspora in the United States is the largest in the world, and the PRC has a very active policy of engagement with its compatriots abroad. According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, the Chinese population in the U.S. (not including Taiwanese) in 2010 was more than 4 million people. The importance of the Chinese diaspora is also important because the role of China and U.S.-Chinese relations in world politics is constantly growing.
The potential of the Chinese diaspora, primarily economic, has long been used by Chinese leaders, not only to attract money to China, but also to ensure a national presence in diaspora countries. In its relations with its diaspora, China demonstrates a very pragmatic approach, actively using the political, economic and cultural potential of “foreign” Chinese and the associations created by them. Since time immemorial, the Chinese authorities have never lost sight of the emigrants, seeking to maximize their country’s benefits from ties with them. Any Chinese who left its borders continued to be regarded as a subject of the Middle Kingdom. In 1909 this was enshrined in law by basing the definition of Chinese citizenship on the “principle of blood. In accordance with the position of officials in Beijing toward Chinese emigration, “even if an emigrant is a CIA agent, he can still be attracted to our side, because he is first of all a Chinese, and only then someone else.
The Chinese diaspora is largely made up of students, scholars, and researchers. It promotes Chinese social, cultural, scientific and academic development, and also brings a large share of direct investment to China. Now more than half of foreign investment in the PRC comes from the Huqiao . There are cases where emigrants lead economic development programs for entire cities and counties. The interaction of the PRC with its diaspora takes place in a very pragmatic approach, based on the use of the potential of emigrants. In 2012, the amount of direct investment actually used in the country, according to official PRC statistics, was $112 billion; in 2013 – $117 billion.
It is known that investors of non-Chinese origin face many problems in the PRC, such as the language barrier, the unacceptability of Western and Japanese leadership styles in China, features of bureaucracy, etc. On the contrary, the diaspora’s business development is very successful due to family and friendship ties, with great support, of course, from Beijing’s official policy.
In addition, the PRC annually receives a huge amount of remittances from emigrants to their relatives. In 2012, according to World Bank estimates, the total amount of these remittances from around the world was $60 billion; in 2013, we are talking about the same amount. Of these, $13 billion a year comes from the United States. It should be noted that back in 2000, the PRC received only $4 billion a year, and in 1990 – 196 million dollars.
To foster a sense of kinship with one’s homeland among Chinese children abroad, especially those born abroad, the Chinese government regularly organizes special tourist trips under the slogan “Reaching Out to Chinese Roots. The authorities actively cooperate with Chinese media published by Chinese natives. The media is used as a tool for fostering and maintaining patriotism and loyalty to the historic homeland.