The influx of Chinese farm labor in Russia reflects the growing trade and economic ties between the two countries, one rich in land and resources, the other in people.This seems like a story that is going to have long legs, since the movement of people with different cultural backgrounds invariably leads to problems of adaptation and adjustment on both sides.
For years after the breakup of the Soviet Union, both countries have struggled to convert these complementary strengths into real business opportunities. A few mining ventures are succeeding. And state companies have struck big oil, coal and timber deals that form the backbone of the economic relationship.
Although China’s ventures into Russian agriculture have been on a smaller scale, they could end up being just as important — not least because they raise tensions about the role of immigrants similar to those seen in the United States over migrant Mexican farm laborers.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Chinese Migrants Heading West to Russia
Russia has lots of land, but is losing people. China has lots of people, and many of them need work. There is thus a classic demographic fit between the two countries, as reported by the New York Times.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It is true that a butch of Chinese farmers are moving to Russia and working there. However, I don't think this migration trend will last long. There is no data available, but if one takes a look at the news related to the issue, he/she will find that unlike young immigrates from Mexico, most immigrate from China to Russia are in their 40's or 50's. Yes, China is rich in people, but not so rich in young people. And the young people with out siblings (due to one child policy) are not only spoiled and also "lazy" - comparing to their parents. The group of "lazy", "better educated", and "possible higher self esteemed" young people in China are reluctantly move to another country doing a heavy labor as long as the Chinese economy is not getting worse that make them no choice.
ReplyDeleteNot detracting from the impact on the current top 10 populations of China and Russia, 1,343,239,923 and 142,517,670 (July 2012 est.) respectively, this story affects two states from opposite ends of the sex ratio (males per hundred females) spectrum. China has a 106 sex ratio, which is currently 12th highest in the world. On the other hand, Russia has an 86 sex ratio, which is currently tied with Djibouti, Latvia, and Ukraine for 2nd lowest in the world. An influx of male Chinese immigrants on Russian soil would quite possibly raise this ranking.
ReplyDeleteWeb. 20 Sep 2012. \httpsQ//www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html|.