Racialization of xinyimin and their double lives: New immigrant youth in Hong Kong

Discrimination is a dynamic process, often shaped and reshaped by local and global political ideologies. Discrimination against new immigrants from China (xinyimin) in Hong Kong has been aggravated in the 2010s, a decade known as one of China–HK conflict, marked by increased anti-China and anti-Chinese sentiments. Drawing on the post-migration experiences of xinyimin youth who grew up in Hong Kong in this decade, this paper examines how young migrants have suffered from negative labeling and stereotypes associated with this highly stigmatized identity. It argues that cross-border politics have contributed to intensified discrimination against mainlanders, leading to a process of racialization of xinyimin. In the face of discrimination, young migrants from China have exercised their agency to lead a double life by displaying different presentations of self in split cultural zones. This paper contributes to the emerging literature on “new racism” in Asia and offers nuances for xinyimin studies. © 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.