China Anxiety: Deracializing Debates about Housing and Education

Ho, C; Rogers, D; Nelson, J

China Anxiety: Deracializing Debates about Housing and Education

Ho, C

Rogers, D Nelson, J

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Publisher:: Duke University Press
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: positions, 2024
Issue Date:: 2024-08-07

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ho, C https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7299-4778
dc.contributor.author	Rogers, D
dc.contributor.author	Nelson, J
dc.date.accessioned	2024-08-13T01:00:21Z
dc.date.available	2024-08-13T01:00:21Z
dc.date.issued	2024-08-07
dc.identifier.citation	positions, 2024
dc.identifier.issn	1067-9847
dc.identifier.issn	1527-8271
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/180388
dc.description.abstract	<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>The rise of China and the rapid expansion of its middle class are having far-reaching impacts around the world. In Australia all manner of economic, social, and political issues are now infused with an anxiety about Chinese influence. This article explores two arenas that have to date received less public attention: the role of Chinese migrants and Chinese capital in Australian housing and education. In Australia and elsewhere, there is growing competition for desirable places in both the housing and education markets. In this competition, “Chinese” individuals are often seen as being “too successful.” In housing, the “Chinese” are successful in making strategic real estate purchases. In education, Chinese migrants’ children dominate enrollments in high-performing selective schools, and perform disproportionately well in standardized tests. In both areas, public debates have included expressions of anxiety and resentment at “others” taking up valuable positions in these increasingly competitive markets. This article documents how the growth of new Chinese mobilities, in the form of people and capital, has been enabled by Australian government policies attempting to engage with a rising China. In the process, however, these new mobilities have generated anxieties about “locals” being left behind. These anxieties reflect larger-scale concerns about the shifting world order, with the Chinese ascension threatening the dominance of Western powers, as well as concerns about new class formations locally.</jats:p>
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Duke University Press
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP200102727
dc.relation.ispartof	positions
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1215/10679847-11306856
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1601 Anthropology, 2002 Cultural Studies
dc.subject.classification	Cultural Studies
dc.subject.classification	4705 Literary studies
dc.title	China Anxiety: Deracializing Debates about Housing and Education
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.for	1601 Anthropology
utslib.for	2002 Cultural Studies
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences/Social and Political Sciences Program
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-08-13T01:00:19Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

Abstract The rise of China and the rapid expansion of its middle class are having far-reaching impacts around the world. In Australia all manner of economic, social, and political issues are now infused with an anxiety about Chinese influence. This article explores two arenas that have to date received less public attention: the role of Chinese migrants and Chinese capital in Australian housing and education. In Australia and elsewhere, there is growing competition for desirable places in both the housing and education markets. In this competition, “Chinese” individuals are often seen as being “too successful.” In housing, the “Chinese” are successful in making strategic real estate purchases. In education, Chinese migrants’ children dominate enrollments in high-performing selective schools, and perform disproportionately well in standardized tests. In both areas, public debates have included expressions of anxiety and resentment at “others” taking up valuable positions in these increasingly competitive markets. This article documents how the growth of new Chinese mobilities, in the form of people and capital, has been enabled by Australian government policies attempting to engage with a rising China. In the process, however, these new mobilities have generated anxieties about “locals” being left behind. These anxieties reflect larger-scale concerns about the shifting world order, with the Chinese ascension threatening the dominance of Western powers, as well as concerns about new class formations locally.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/180388