Description
Incidents of protests and rallies organized by the Chinese diaspora in Italy, particularly concerning issues such as Hong Kong and Xinjiang, are often linked to groups associated with the Chinese party-state. Despite these engagements, many Chinese diasporas in Italy abstain from collaboration with the Chinese state, especially the Uyghur diaspora in Italy, which faces transnational repression significantly restricting their rights and freedoms. From this perspective, this research critically examines China's diaspora policy in Italy, assessing its impact on democratization, autocratization, and social justice. It investigates whether China employs a uniform policy to manage competing narratives within diaspora communities. China’s increasing involvement in diaspora policy raises questions about the actions and motivations of stakeholders within Italy and the coexistence of divergent groups amid China's engagement. Through qualitative methods and fieldwork, this study traces the evolution of the Chinese diaspora in Italy, revealing diverse expectations and reactions to China's policies. It scrutinizes the political advocacy and lobbying efforts of Chinese diaspora groups and assesses Italy's perceptions of China's influence on democratization and autocratization. This research underscores the necessity of addressing inequality and exclusion within diaspora communities, contributing to the discourse on global democratization and striving for a more just and inclusive world.
