Integration Strategies of the Chinese Diaspora in Latin America: the Case of Chile (1900–1930)

Abstract During the first decades of the 20th century, the Chinese diaspora in Latin America faced racial attacks in a context marked by increasing xenophobia and restrictive migration policies. Members of Chinese communities used multiple strategies to counter such hostility, especially the anti-Chinese articles that appeared at the time in newspapers and magazines throughout the region. This paper focuses on Chile, particularly the north of the country, where the largest groups of Chinese immigrants resided. In this country it is possible to observe that Chinese immigrants resorted to words to respond to disinformation or malicious reporting, but they mainly used specific actions to reverse the negative image of their community among some sectors of the Chilean population. Through Chinese charitable societies the immigrants collaborated with important charity activities and contributed to the improvement of infrastructure and social services in cities throughout the country. Thus, the Chinese community presented itself to Chilean public opinion as prosperous foreigners and a valuable input to the construction and reconstruction of the country and its cities.