Abstract
In this study, I explore different factors that influence Chinese international students’ decision to participate or not participate in activism in China. Through twelve interviews with Chinese international students of diverse backgrounds, I find that there are three aspects to explore in order to understand why this group of students does not participate in activism in China.\r \r First of all, they are intimidated by the Chinese Communist Party. They are fully aware of the party’s attitude towards activism in China and the dire consequences of being regarded as a dissident. They also have conflicting feelings towards the party because their parents benefited from the party’s economy policy. They believe that without the Chinese Communist Party’s Reform and Opening-Up policy, their families would not be able to pay for them to study abroad and to avoid the competitive state-sponsored education exams.\r \r Also, their experience with activism in America is not thought-provoking after all. Because they consider Chinese society and American society as completely different, activism in America does not necessarily inspire them to reflect upon their own society. They thus do not appreciate the social movements in America and are not inspired to imitate them in China.\r \r Finally, their unique characteristics as Chinese international students also hinder them from participating in activism in China. They can no longer look forward to a golden age of economic growth back in China, and they are fighting to maintain their diminishing social status. As only children, they are also expected to take care of their parents and children, which will be a huge burden considering the constantly increasing cost of living in China.