Xinyi Zhang

Synopsis of Research in Shanghai: October 23 - December 15

In Shanghai, Xinyi Zhang will be revising her manuscript of a research project “Who can(not) be Chinese and Why? The Construction of Symbolic Boundaries Against Immigrants in Chinese Online Discourse.” The paper uses social media data collected in 2020 from Sina Weibo and provides qualitative and computational content analysis on online discussion about loosening regulations on permanent residency in China. Zhang hopes to strengthen the paper by conducting additional literature review on racial discourse in China, using NYU Shanghai’s library. She also hopes to workshop her paper draft with scholars who focus on race and immigration in a global context in Shanghai.