Peru is home to a signifanct number of people of Chinese origins. Read on for more information of the fascinating story of Peruvians descended from China…
Peruvians of Chinese descent are people whose ancestors were Chinese but they were born in Peru, or are people who have made Peru their homeland, despite being Chinese. These people are known as tusán. Peruvians of Chinese descent can often speak many languages including Spanish, many dialects of Chinese including Mandarin, Hakka and Cantonese. The first Chinese came from Macau and they were able to speak Portuguese as well. There are many Asians in Peru and their population, which includes Peruvians of Chinese descent, makes up about 5% of the total population.
Modern immigrants to Peru
Chinese from Hong Kong have settled in Peru. Some people from Macau have also settled in Peru due to the fear of the return of communist rule in the late 90’s. However other Chinese immigrants belong to the main lands in china. Other Chinese come from countries such as Taiwan and also some communities that are Chinese which include Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia. Chinese Indonesians and Malaysians have fled to Peru after the massacres that took place in the countries in the 1960’s, 70’s and 90’s. Because so many Chinese have immigrated to Peru and because of the existing Peruvians of Chinese descent, Peru has the largest population of Chinese people in Latin America.
Emigration of Peruvians of Chinese descent
Many Peruvians of Chinese descent have also emigrated from Peru. Perhaps because of the better standard of living and job prospects in other countries. Most of these Peruvians have emigrated to the United States of America. This emigration was very common during the 1960’s and 70’s. Once these Peruvians of Chinese descent emigrated from Peru to America, they became known as Peruvian Americans of Chinese descent. Some of these people also went to countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Spain, Hong Kong and Macau.
Peruvians of Chinese descent and their role in the country
Once the contracts of these Chinese had ended in Peru, they took up the names of their patrons. That’s why we see so many Peruvian Chinese with last names which are Spanish. Some of these Chinese people started businesses as well which were run by their younger generations. The most popular businesses that these Peruvian Chinese take up are of opening Chinese restaurants. Since Chinese cuisine is loved all around the world, these people have stayed in Peru to promote it as well. Some Chinese who had come in the early days married women from Peru. That’s why we will be able to see many mixed children who are Peruvians from Chinese descent. Peruvians of Chinese descent have also contributed to building and construction in the country as well. Railroads and development are some of the major occupations of these people, besides the small entrepreneurs from their community.
Chinese have made their mark in almost every corner of the world. And since Peru is home to so many Chinese, it is common to come across Peruvians who belong to Chinese descent. They are Peruvian by culture, but Chinese blood flows deep within their veins.
