Cai Yuanpei and the Transnational Quest: Intellectual Mobilization in the Chinese Community in France

Abstract

This article explores the pivotal role of Cai Yuanpei in the transnational intellectual mobilization of the Chinese community in France during the early twentieth century by highlighting how Cai’s vision and leadership contributed to the formation of educational and cultural networks that bridged China and Europe. The article situates Cai’s efforts within the broader context of Chinese migration, modernization, and reform movements, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between individual agency and collective identity in a transnational setting. It also sheds light on the significance of the anarchist based work-study movement and related organizations in fostering a new generation of Chinese intellectuals who were deeply influenced by their experiences abroad. Through this analysis, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities of cultural exchange, diaspora identity, and intellectual history in the Republican era.