Migrations and the constitution of network-territory between Mococa-SP-Brazil and Guangdong-China

Abstract

The migration flows of Chinese people into Brazilian territory have expanded and diversified with the strengthening of bilateral relations between China and Brazil – particularly in the 21st century. Although these flows are typically associated with cities integrated into the world economy, Chinese immigrants are also present in towns of the state of São Paulo, such as Mococa; of note are the flows established between Guangdong (China) and this municipality. In this context, this research aims to analyze migration flows from Guangdong to Mococa to understand the establishment of networks and the formation of “network-territory” between these locations. The study employed an exploratory descriptive, qualitative approach involving a literature review, secondary data collection, field work, interviews, questionnaires, and observation of the geographical space. The results demonstrate the integration of immigrants from Guangdong into Mococa's urban and commercial dynamics, representing the creation of material and immaterial connections between the two locations. Throughout this process, the dynamics of territorialization, deterritorialization, and reterritorialization (T-D-R) contribute to the production of territorialities linked to migration flows and the network established between Guangdong and Mococa. Thus, the network-territory is understood through the interplay of fixed elements, flows, and networks, with Guangdong and Mococa serving as the primary nodal points of the spatial interactions analyzed.