DAILY LIFE IN MOTION: LEISURE, WORK AND THE POLITICS OF EVERYDAY MOBILITIES IN SANYA, CHINA

Abstract

This thesis explores leisure and work mobilities and the negotiation of everyday politics in Sanya, China. It draws on the ‘new mobilities paradigm’ and critical everyday life studies, and explores the politics of everyday mobilities through four empirical chapters. The first concerns the formation of place identities of the Houniao (‘snowbirds’) and local elderly recreationists in leisure mobilities, and explores social differentiation. The second focuses on the construction of place meanings of Sanya through mobilities of sightseeing tourists and tour guides, and discusses the anxiety of the working class for upward social mobility. The third scrutinizes mobile work experience of motorcycle taxi drivers under state control, and highlights social inequality. The fourth examines everyday resistance and labor (im)mobilities of leaflet distributors, beach peddlers and Canji (disabled) street entertainers. This thesis hopes to contribute to mobilities studies, critical everyday life studies and the understanding of contemporary Chinese society.