The Chinese Diaspora: Exploring Chinese Migration in Colombia

Abstract

The Chinese diaspora is the largest and most extensive among the world's migrant populations. Recent estimates put the number of Chinese emigrants at 40 million people. Far from being a homogenous group, members of the Chinese diaspora have diverse economic, cultural, social, educational, and personal backgrounds as well as very different life stories and emigration experiences. Despite the growing interest in the Pacific Rim and the constant immigration of Chinese to the Americas through the 20th century, there is very little information about their migration to Colombia. This article explores the topic from a historical point of view in order to fill this void. The little that is known about Chinese migrants to Colombia is presented in the context of a discussion on the diaspora in order to highlight the transnationality and multiplicity of identities among this migrant group. The article also examines the similarities and differences between Chinese migration to Colombia and other countries in Latin America and on other continents, relating these particularities to local contexts.