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@article{ART002140524},
author={Qian Zhou},
title={Foreign Travels of the Chinese Middle Class and Self Construction in Social Media},
journal={Asia Review},
issn={2234-0386},
year={2016},
volume={6},
number={1},
pages={339-372}

TY - JOUR
AU - Qian Zhou
TI - Foreign Travels of the Chinese Middle Class and Self Construction in Social Media
JO - Asia Review
PY - 2016
VL - 6
IS - 1
PB - 아시아연구소
SP - 339
EP - 372
SN - 2234-0386
AB - This study focuses on the foreign media’s coverage of the foreign travels by the Chinese middle class. Starting from examining the Chinese middle class, this article reviews previous studies on the middle class. It proposes a “three-fold model for understanding the middle class,” and applies it to analyze the Weibo users, who, as a group, have the same demographic characteristics of the middle class. This model analyzes the characteristics of the foreign trips of the Chinese middle class, their use of the media, and their consumption behavior while on the trip. The aim is to examine their impact on the formation of class identity of the Chinese middle class, and how such identity formation, in turn, affects other parts of the Chinese society. By examining the texts and pictures on the micro-blogs and the interactions within the virtual communities on the internet, the findings were: the Chinese middle class has complex motives for traveling abroad – gaining experiences, leisure, and cultural interchange. The mode of travel was dominated by car and leisurely travel. The characteristics of the travels can be summarized as “expressing of culturedness and social statue, rational consumption, individualization and social diversification.” Chinese middle class travelers establish “realistic selves” by posting a combination of texts and pictures on micro-blogs. Currently, the trips abroad by the Chinese middle class have the function of stabilizing the Chinese society and promoting consumption. Their civility while traveling positively affects the mindset of the popular travelers. The negative effects of the conspicuous consumption of the Chinese middle class are not the dominant aspect of their travels. In conclusion, by examining the foreign travels of the Chinese middle class and their construction of the self on the social media, this study attempts to complement previous sociological studies on traveling and class, traveling and social media, as well as on the Chinese micro-blog.
KW - middle class;trip abroad;social media;micro-blog (Weibo);self-construction
DO -
UR -
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Qian Zhou. (2016). Foreign Travels of the Chinese Middle Class and Self Construction in Social Media. Asia Review, 6(1), 339-372.

Qian Zhou. 2016, "Foreign Travels of the Chinese Middle Class and Self Construction in Social Media", Asia Review, vol.6, no.1 pp.339-372.

Qian Zhou "Foreign Travels of the Chinese Middle Class and Self Construction in Social Media" Asia Review 6.1 pp.339-372 (2016) : 339.

Qian Zhou. Foreign Travels of the Chinese Middle Class and Self Construction in Social Media. 2016; 6(1), 339-372.

Qian Zhou. "Foreign Travels of the Chinese Middle Class and Self Construction in Social Media" Asia Review 6, no.1 (2016) : 339-372.

Qian Zhou. Foreign Travels of the Chinese Middle Class and Self Construction in Social Media. Asia Review, 6(1), 339-372.

Qian Zhou. Foreign Travels of the Chinese Middle Class and Self Construction in Social Media. Asia Review. 2016; 6(1) 339-372.

Qian Zhou. Foreign Travels of the Chinese Middle Class and Self Construction in Social Media. 2016; 6(1), 339-372.

Qian Zhou. "Foreign Travels of the Chinese Middle Class and Self Construction in Social Media" Asia Review 6, no.1 (2016) : 339-372.