My name is Halina Li, and I am a third-year student at 麻豆社 majoring in Political Science, with minors in Economics and International Development. I am particularly interested in the intersection of law, gender, and power—especially in contexts where legal protections exist in statute but fail in practice. As part of the Li Ka Shing Arts Initiative, I undertook a research project on women’s property rights in the Chao’shan (潮汕, Cháoshàn) region of Guangdong (广东, Guǎngdōng). My research examined how Confucian kinship principles, state legal frameworks, and structural inequalities shape women’s ability to hold or inherit property.
Research Background
Initially, I intended to begin with the Qing dynasty (清朝, Qīngcháo) in order to trace the historical foundations of contemporary patriarchal land structures. However, archival materials from this period were largely inaccessible, often handwritten in classical Chinese (文言文, wényánwén) and difficult to interpret. I subsequently refocused my study on the Republican era (民国时期, Mínguó shíqī, 1912–1949) and the post-1978 reform period under the Chinese Communist Party (中国共产党, Zhōngguó Gòngchǎndǎng), where court rulings and codified civil law (民法典, Mínfǎdiǎn) were more readily available and suitable for comparative analysis.
My central research question was: how have women’s property rights evolved across these regimes, and why do cultural norms continue to limit their enforcement in rural areas such as Chao’shan?
Chao’shan presented an instructive case due to its economic conservatism, entrenched lineage institutions, and enduring localism. Unlike urban centers where nuclear family structures are increasingly prevalent, Chao’shan villages continue to observe patrilineal inheritance through ancestral temples and clan trusts. Although the civil code formally guarantees gender equality in property ownership, customary practices in regions like Chao’shan frequently undermine these legal provisions.
My research objectives were to:
- Strengthen my proficiency in interpreting Chinese legal documents.
- Analyze the disparity between legal principles and judicial outcomes.
- Examine how geographic and educational factors affect access to legal protections.
Each of these goals was achieved through evolving methodologies. I examined Republican-era contracts and statutes, many of which had been reproduced in simplified Chinese or accompanied by scholarly annotations. I also compiled and assessed court cases from both historical and contemporary periods to explore how similar property claims were adjudicated. These sources included legal archives, journalistic reports, and feminist legal scholarship.
A key finding was the contrast in legal outcomes between urban and rural jurisdictions. In cities such as Shanghai (上海, Shànghǎi) and Guangzhou (广州, Guǎngzhōu), women were more likely to succeed in property disputes, particularly when supported by formal documentation and legal representation. Conversely, rural courts—including those in Chao’shan—often deferred to customary norms, especially in cases lacking formal land registration. Educational access also significantly influenced case outcomes; women with legal literacy or access to counsel were more likely to prevail, while those with limited education often resorted to informal negotiations or faced pressure to abandon claims.
Adapting to Field Research in a Foreign Environment
I strongly encourage participants in such programs to remain adaptable in their approach. Field research rarely proceeds according to plan, and flexibility often leads to deeper insight. Early engagement with local scholars proved essential to my research process.
Close observation also proved invaluable. Attending to signage, spatial organization, and local social customs enabled a smoother adjustment to unfamiliar surroundings. I recommend utilizing Chinese digital platforms—such as Xiaohongshu (小红书, Xiǎohóngshū), Baidu (百度, Bǎidù), and Zhihu (知乎, Zhīhū)—alongside translation tools, to access local knowledge, plan logistics, and identify archival materials not visible via Western channels.
Challenges related to transportation and healthcare access arose in unanticipated ways. While many were resolved through open-mindedness and patience, it is equally critical that participants possess sound judgment and the capacity to make swift, informed decisions. For instance, I once unintentionally boarded a motorbike taxi that proceeded onto a highway at 60–70 km/h without appropriate safety measures—an experience that underscored the importance of situational awareness.
Program Highlights and Reflections
Among the most rewarding aspects of the program were my meetings with my local advisor and the practical training I received in archival research methods. These experiences substantially improved my ability to navigate simplified Chinese records and legal databases, broadening the scope and depth of my research.
Another moment of clarity came when I learned that the minimum wage in Guangdong is 18.6 yuan per hour. Placing this figure in relation to daily expenses—transportation, meals, and museum entry fees—reframed my understanding of regional economic realities and contextualized my own expenditures. The experience evolved from an academic inquiry into a lived engagement with structural conditions.
This project sharpened my academic direction and reaffirmed my commitment to legal research. It also reinforced an essential lesson: legal rights are meaningless without access. In places like Chao’shan, longstanding traditions and entrenched hierarchies continue to determine whose rights are protected—and whose are ignored.
Acknowledgements
I am deeply grateful for the support and camaraderie I experienced throughout this program. During my time in Shantou, I had the opportunity to connect with student contingents from both Shantou University and 麻豆社 who were conducting their own research projects. Their perspectives and conversations enriched my experience and created a shared sense of purpose across diverse fields.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Professor Chen Midao Dan, my STU supervising advisor, for her thoughtful guidance and expertise, as well as to Professor Kazue Takamura, my primary supervisor, for her unwavering guidance, intellectual encouragement, and generous mentorship at every stage of the research process. I also extend my appreciation to Professor Wang (王老师) for his logistical assistance and cultural insight, and to Ms. Léa Gruyelle, whose coordination and administrative support were instrumental in facilitating this field research project.
