Residents of foreign countries often construct their perceptions of China through the words, actions, and lifestyles of overseas Chinese, such as the qualities of diligence, bravery, integrity, and kindness they exhibit, which are symbols of the Chinese nation. Reporter from China News Service, Jin Xu.

早在16世纪下半叶，“中国之船”就已穿梭于海上丝绸之路。首批华工如何抵达拉美国家？华侨华人在中拉关系史中扮演何种角色？又如何续写中拉友谊新篇章？中国人民大学国际关系学院教授崔守军就此接受中新社“东西问”专访。
The following is a summary of the interview transcript:

Reporter from China News Service: As early as the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, China began trade, cultural, and personnel exchanges with Latin American countries through the "Maritime Silk Road." How did the first group of Chinese laborers to Latin America initiate the history of Chinese immigrants in the Americas by traveling on the "Manila Galleon"?

Cui Shoujun: The early Chinese workers and merchants who went to Latin America were related to the opening of the "Silk Road." Chinese silk was exported westward as early as the Han Dynasty, following the "Silk Road," passing through Central Asia and West Asia, and eventually reaching Greece and Rome. Since the Ming Dynasty, Chinese silk was also exported eastward, crossing the Pacific Ocean via the Philippines, reaching Mexico, and eventually spreading throughout Latin America.

In the later part of the century, Spain ruled the Philippines, and Spanish merchants set sail from Manila each year, transporting Chinese goods to the port of Acapulco in Mexico, America, and then via land to other regions in America. Hence, these ocean-going trade ships carrying Chinese goods were also referred to as "China's Ships." This route became one of the most important trans-Pacific trade channels in the world from the 16th to the 19th century, establishing economic and cultural connections among East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Americas.

Under the impetus of the "Manila Galleon" trade, many craftsmen, artisans, merchants, and others from Fujian and Guangdong traveled by sea to the Philippines. Some of them later reached Latin America via the "Manila Galleon" route, pioneering early personnel exchanges between China and Latin America. In the late Ming Dynasty, some Chinese workers in the Philippines crossed the Pacific Ocean to Mexico on the "Manila Galleon" and established the first Chinatown in American history. These workers were known as early overseas Chinese. They mainly engaged in handicraft manufacturing, farm labor, mining, and maritime trade in the Americas, gradually establishing roots in various parts of Latin America, thus opening the序幕 of the history of overseas Chinese in the Americas.

The anniversary of the opening of São Paulo Street, known as the "Chinatown" of Brazil, as a commercial district. From September 29th to October 1st, local time, the Brazilian overseas Chinese community, in collaboration with the São Paulo Street Merchants Association, held a grand Mid-Autumn Festival garden event in the São Paulo Street commercial district, attracting tens of thousands of people to participate. Photo by reporter Lin Chunya from China News Service.

Reporter from China News Service: What impact have the production skills, festival customs, and other aspects brought by overseas Chinese had on Latin American societies? How have these cultural exchanges promoted local people's understanding of China?

Cui Shoujun: The development and construction of many countries in Latin America have been inseparable from the participation of overseas Chinese. At the beginning of the century, a group of Chinese tea farmers brought tea seeds and seedlings to the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden in Brazil, where they planted tea and imparted their skills, making Brazil the third largest tea-producing country after China and Japan. Some Chinese workers participated in the excavation of the Panama Canal and the construction of railways; others taught the methods of planting rice, sugarcane, and vegetables to the people of Peru, Cuba, and other countries, contributing to agricultural development. For example, Peruvian Chinese Dai Zonghan, in order to solve the problem of water shortage for dryland farming in the northern coastal region, continuously improved irrigation methods and farming techniques, eventually achieving self-flowing irrigation for rice fields, turning northern Peru into the country's leading rice-producing region.

Moreover, overseas Chinese in Latin America actively promote traditional Chinese medicine culture, with therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and moxibustion still highly regarded to this day. Traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival, as well as Chinese culinary culture, are also well-received. In Peru, menus at Chinese restaurants often feature dishes originating from Chinese cuisine, such as fried rice, soy sauce chicken, and wontons, which have become an integral part of the local culinary culture.

For Latin American society and its people, the collective attributes of overseas Chinese, namely their ethnic identity, are more pronounced than their individual attributes. The host society often constructs its perception of China through the words, actions, and lifestyles of overseas Chinese, such as the qualities they exhibit—diligence, bravery, integrity, and kindness—which are symbols of the Chinese nation.

Local time, month and day, Chinatown in Lima, the capital of Peru. Photo by reporter Sheng Jiapeng from China News Service.

Reporter from China News Service: Since the turn of the century, an increasing number of overseas Chinese have ventured into Latin America to pursue their careers. What changes have occurred in their occupational structure and industry distribution compared to earlier times? What contributions have they made to the local economic development?

Cui Shoujun: In the early 20th century, due to the complex terrain, some Latin American countries faced difficulties in the circulation of goods. Most overseas Chinese seized the opportunity to engage in retail, operating small stores that provided daily necessities for local residents. The catering industry, with its relatively low costs, difficulty in imitation, and no rigid requirements for the level of operation, could either open high-end restaurants or street-side eateries, making it a highly promising market and a preferred choice for entrepreneurial overseas Chinese. The laundry industry, similarly, was another sector with low initial costs and relatively easy wealth accumulation.

On the date of the month in the local time, Chinese shops in the "Chinatown" of Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Photo by reporter Sheng Jiapeng from China News Service.

Since the turn of the century, an increasing number of Chinese immigrants have been expanding their businesses in Latin America, with their occupational structures and industry distributions gradually diversifying, extending into manufacturing, import-export trade, real estate, technological innovation, e-commerce, and other sectors. Particularly in countries with more developed industrialization like Mexico and Brazil, this transformation has driven the upgrading of related industries. At the same time, due to the traditional emphasis on education among Chinese immigrants, the new generation of Chinese-Latin Americans who have grown up in Latin America mostly receive higher education. Through their own efforts, they have excelled in the fields of knowledge and technology, becoming elites in professions such as scholars, politicians, doctors, and engineers.

With the continuous deepening of China-Latin America relations, overseas Chinese have gained more investment opportunities and gradually ventured into industries such as petrochemical and plastic. Additionally, Latin American countries are rich in mineral, hydroelectric, and oil resources. With the implementation of China's "Going Global" strategy, some resource-oriented enterprises have begun investing and establishing factories in Latin America, while some state-owned enterprises have undertaken infrastructure construction projects, bringing a large number of technical talents to the region.

Reporter from China News Service: Over the years, many Chinese-descendant political figures have emerged in Latin American countries. What is the level of political enthusiasm among the Chinese in Latin America? How can the influence of the Chinese community be better enhanced?

Cui Shoujun: In recent years, Chinese people in Latin America have shown increasing enthusiasm for political participation. With the growth of the Chinese community and the enhancement of their economic strength, their integration into local society, Chinese participation in politics is not only a way to improve their own status and voice, but also helps to build a bridge of friendship with their ancestral homeland.

Several Chinese individuals have held senior administrative positions in countries such as Peru, Brazil, and Mexico, such as Chan Ngie Fun, who served as the President of Suriname, and Sir Solomon Hochoy, the first Governor-General of Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, some Chinese have used their unique statuses to enhance the friendship between their host countries and China. For example, the renowned Peruvian overseas Chinese leader He Lianxiang made significant contributions to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, earning the title of "Envoy of Sino-Peruvian Diplomatic Relations."

Nowadays, an increasing number of Chinese-Americans are running for or being elected to positions such as city councilors, state legislators, and even members of Congress. They actively strive for opportunities for the Chinese community to voice their concerns and play a positive role in issues such as combating racial discrimination and improving social welfare.

To better integrate into local society and enhance their influence, overseas Chinese can also establish solid community organizations through associations, chambers of commerce, and foundations, carry out more cross-community collaborative efforts, and actively participate in public welfare activities such as medical services, disaster relief assistance, and educational funding, demonstrating a sense of social responsibility.

Secondly, overseas Chinese should actively engage in dialogue with mainstream media and political circles to enhance the understanding of the Chinese community among the local mainstream society, thereby eliminating misunderstandings and earning respect. At the same time, it is also important to encourage young Chinese-Americans to participate in local public affairs and social activities, enhancing their sense of political engagement.

CNS reporter: This year marks the tenth anniversary of President Xi Jinping's proposal to build a community with a shared future for China and Latin America. In your view, what role can overseas Chinese play in promoting cooperation and exchanges between China and Latin America?

Cui Shoujun: In recent years, China-Latin America relations have entered a new era characterized by equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness, and inclusiveness. In the process of building a community with a shared future for China and Latin America, economic and trade cooperation, political mutual trust, and cultural exchanges are the three pillars, while overseas Chinese and Chinese descendants serve as important links to promote these pillars. As of now, several Latin American and Caribbean countries have signed cooperation documents with China on jointly building the Belt and Road. More and more Latin American countries hope to draw on the development concepts of the "Chinese model" and the "Chinese path" to promote their own economic and social development.

Overseas Chinese possess multiple advantages in language, culture, and business. It is believed that they will be more actively and extensively involved in local economic, trade, and cultural activities than ever before. They will organize events such as Chinese cultural festivals, Chinese language learning classes, and other experiential activities to enhance mutual understanding, adding new vitality to China-Latin America cooperation and cultural exchange.

Interviewee Profile:*

Cui Shoujun. Photo provided by interviewee.

崔守军，中国人民大学国际关系学院教授、博士生导师，国际发展研究所所长、拉美研究中心主任，获聘中国人民大学“吴玉章学者”。美国国务院“国际访问者领袖计划”（IVLP）访问学者，欧盟委员会“玛丽·居里国际交流计划”访问学者。主要研究方向为中国外交、发展中国家、地缘政治和国际组织等，主持和参加多项国家级和省部级课题，受聘多个国际机构、国家部委和企事业单位咨询专家和顾问。

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Title: "Cui Shoujun: China-Latin America Friendship Transcends Mountains and Seas, Deeply Rooted in the Hearts of Overseas Chinese - East and West Questions" Text Editor: Wang Suning Photo Editor: Cui Chuqiao Layout: Zang He Proofreading: Wei Yuan Editor: Song Fangcan

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