Guyana celebrates 171 years of Chinese arrival

Guyana celebrated Chinese Arrival Day on Friday, commemorating 171 years since the arrival of Chinese to the English-speaking South American nation.

On the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, spoke with the state television, explaining that the significance of the commemoration is threefold.

"The first is to commemorate the history, allowing the younger generation to understand that aspect and the historical links between China and Guyana. Secondly, there should be a commemoration of the Chinese contribution to Guyana, and third, to promote social integration and multiculturism,” the Chinese diplomat added.

The Ambassador said Chinese who arrived in Guyana as indentured labourers worked hard and made their contributions to the agriculture economy.

"Later, many Chinese engaged in commercial activities, operating shops, restaurants, and laundries, which played an important role in economic prosperity and brought convenience to people’s lives.” And over the years, many elements of Chinese culture have integrated into the diverse culture of Guyana.

The first batch of Chinese landed in Georgetown, British Guiana, in 1853. They were all assigned to work on the West Coast of Demerara: 105 at Windsor Forest, 103 at Pouderoyen, and 1 at Union. Nine died on the journey to Guyana.

From 1853 to 1879, a total of 13,541 Chinese, which comprised a diverse group of people who hailed from different regions, spoke different dialects, and embraced different religious and cultural beliefs, were scattered across the counties of Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo. They were among the smallest group of indentured labourers brought to Guyana and initially comprised only men.

Later, a small number of Chinese women were brought to serve as indentured labourers. On completion of their indentureship, many of them returned to China or emigrated to different parts of the Caribbean. Of the lot that remained, several of them became astute business operators and engaged in commercial pursuits, including becoming barbers and tradesmen. The period from 1860 to 1866 saw a relatively large influx of immigrants, bringing the local Chinese population to a peak of 10,022 in 1866.

Subsequently, only two boats arrived with Chinese immigrants, one in 1874 and the other in 1879. These Chinese immigrants came of their own free will and at their own expense.

On June 27, 1972, Guyana took the decision to establish formal diplomatic ties with China, achieving the distinction of becoming the first English-speaking Caribbean country to do so. And in 1986, a monument at Windsor Forest Primary School was erected by the Guyana-China Friendship Society to commemorate the arrival of the first Chinese immigrants to Guyana on the Glentanner from Amoy in China.

Over the years, the strong, comprehensive programme of bilateral cooperation has resulted in Guyana benefiting from the services of Chinese medical doctors and technicians, the donation of equipment to the health sector, the educational work of the Confucius Institute, and infrastructural support for multiple large-scale projects, among several others.

Presently, there are about 1,300 Chinese who are residents of Guyana, 300 of whom are under the age of 18, based on a survey done in 2021 by the Chinese Association in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown.