When is a Migrant an Expatriate? When he or she is a Brit abroad, obviously.

Inspired by the twin concepts of emigration and immigration, Prof Caroline Knowles posed this question at the launch of her research and report last week, supported by the Runnymede Trust and Goldsmiths College and hosted by Baroness Hussein-Ece at the House of Lords.

The first of a series of 3 studies, Caroline looked into the motivations and aspirations of young (aged 23-39) Chinese migrants to London from Hongkong and Beijing. However were they from the UK moving to live and work in Beijing or Hongkong (the subject of the ensuing 2 studies), they would no doubt be termed expatriates instead.

I am grateful to Caroline for providing a new narrative to the Chinese living in the UK. Whereas focus in the past had either been on economic migrants during the 60s through to the 80s, or of unregulated migrants that made tabloid headlines, it was refreshing to read about young Chinese professionals for a change. Many had chosen to study and/or work in London driven by the desire for better career opportunities and/or life experiences.

I was pleased to deliver the formal response to the report and lauded it for its insights and its balanced approach. New migrants now outnumber the old ones by significant ratios: eg 85% to 10% in the City of London and 74% to 15% in Camden. As a result of the points system only Tier 1 and Tier 2 migrants are allowed to stay, attracting investors, inter-company transfers or highly skilled entrepreneurs. Yet these are a transient community, often with split loyalties.

Sceptics in the audience had asked if this would just be another report to be left on the shelf and what impact would it have on informing policy?

I believe the findings need to be widely shared and made known to relevant politicians and government departments such as those in Higher Education and in the Home Office. The profile of new migrants is the direct result of government policies and there is no guarantee that London and the UK will continue to attract top calibre students with the phasing out of the Post Study Work Visa. The British Chinese are often also a victim of their own success as students are perceived to be doing well with higher than above average grades. However, often encounter discrimination and the “bamboo ceiling” when it comes to career advancements.

The report also touches on our understanding of cultural identity and of social integration. How do we encourage a migrant population to grow to care about the future of the UK when they eventually settle here? The Chinese remain one of the least represented politically, with fewer than 10 Councillors out of 20,000 across the country, not a single one in London (though Alan Mak succeeded in May 2015 to be elected as the first British Chinese MP for Havant).

Speaking as a political campaigner and community activist, while the report is primarily about Chinese migrants, parallels can also be drawn with other migrant communities. It is hoped that it could contribute to the wider debate surrounding race, immigration and political enfranchisement generally.

* Merlene is a Director of Paddy Ashdown Policy and Research Forum Limited and editor of the PAF’s publications on “The Rise of China” and “The Five Decade Journey of EU-ASEAN Relations”.