A Chinese Cyber Diaspora: Contact and Identity Negotiation on Taiwanese WoW Servers

Abstract

Due to the long-delayed release of ������������������� (�����) second expansion in China, many Chinese �������� ������ ������ ��������� ��� ���������� �������� ��� ������ ����� �WoW rush�� ��������� ��� ������ �������� between tens of thousands of residents of Taiwan and China, two countries whose official relationship is marked by limited contact and political tension. Instead of having short-term political discussions on online forums, Chinese and Taiwanese players are now establishing long-term relationships in ongoing game worlds. This represents a new form of virtual migration, consisting of individuals who physically exist in their home countries, but spend large amounts of time engaged in cross-border interactions in cyberspace. ���������������������������������������������physical presence.������������������������������������������� and its implications, and review the characteristics of cross-Taiwan Strait interactions at various stages of this cyber-diaspora.