The Chinese, the Chinese, the Chinese are coming!!

[NALs]

Since the Chinese are some of the most interesting immigrant groups to this country of ours, I am usually fond of any information I find about them. In fact, I am fond of any information I find of any immigrant group that came here legally, now if illegal, then we are at odds.

Anyhow, I found this interesting piece about the Chinese community here (more specifically in Santo Domingo). This is part of a bigger article on the Chinatowns in Latin America...

Dominican Republic

While Havana's Barrio Chino is struggling for self-preservation, a new bustling Chinatown in the Dominican Republic thrives, in that country's capital city Santo Domingo, on Avenida Duarte. While serving the local Chinese community with at least 40 immigrant-run businesses, it is also promoted as a tourist attraction. The development of Chinatown is now gaining momentum, and a new gateway arch is in development. The first Chinese, including other Spanish-speaking Chinese, came from other Caribbean islands. Other first-generation Chinese immigrants came from Hong Kong and Taiwan in 1970s. Chinese became the second-largest non-Latino community in the 1980s.

Source:
http://www.answers.com/topic/chinato...-latin-america

[Dolores]

Have heard that big Chinese money is investing in luxury real estate in the DR, with lots invested in the attractive second home luxury developments along the East Coast.

[NewinSantiago]

Originally Posted by Nal0whs

I am fond of any information I find of any immigrant group that came here legally, now if illegal, then we are at odds.

Illegal, legal?? What difference does it make?? As far as I know, neither the Spaniards nor the Africans had tourist visas when they settled in the Dominican Republic. Am I saying most Dominicans are direct descendants of illegal immigrants?? Yes, I am. So, what's the big deal with illegal immigrants??

[carina]

In the census of 1888 for Puerto Plata there was 4 chinese living in the city!
Of a total of 4087 inhabitants.

During the period of 1890-1897 an agreement was reached to allow 400 Cubans immigrate to the island. They were needed in the sugar production.
In Puerto Plata they settled around the park that is between 12 de Julio and Calle J F Kennedy. That park is today called Parque Luperon, but had the name La Placita Cubana at that time.

In 1737 and 1738 , groups of people from Tenerife, Canary Island, was invited to settle here as well. The first group consisted of about 40 families, and the second group of 21 families (125 people ).
They had the knowledge of agriculture and came by invitation of the governor.

[JANET/NJ]

I've known for a long time that they were there.................have you ever been to Bonao?

[rellosk]

Originally Posted by NewinSantiago

Illegal, legal?? What difference does it make?? As far as I know, neither the Spaniards nor the Africans had tourist visas when they settled in the Dominican Republic. Am I saying most Dominicans are direct descendants of illegal immigrants?? Yes, I am. So, what's the big deal with illegal immigrants??

I like that.

[suarezn]

Originally Posted by NewinSantiago

Illegal, legal?? What difference does it make?? As far as I know, neither the Spaniards nor the Africans had tourist visas when they settled in the Dominican Republic. Am I saying most Dominicans are direct descendants of illegal immigrants?? Yes, I am. So, what's the big deal with illegal immigrants??

Hey...it's the old "Now that I've got mine I don't want anyone else to get theirs". Seriously it happens with every immigrant group (i.e. Irish were discriminated against when they first emigrated to The US, then later on the same Irish were complaining about the Italians, and so forth). Aren't we humans wonderful?

[NALs]

Originally Posted by NewinSantiago

Illegal, legal?? What difference does it make?? As far as I know, neither the Spaniards nor the Africans had tourist visas when they settled in the Dominican Republic. Am I saying most Dominicans are direct descendants of illegal immigrants?? Yes, I am. So, what's the big deal with illegal immigrants??

The deal with illegals is that they are not accounted for in government initiatives and investments.

For example, many public schools are overcrowded, public hospitals as well, the job market is very tough on low skilled people, etc etc.

It's mostly a livelyhood deal, more so than the illegal person him/herself.

On the other hand, a person who went through the legal procedures not only will be much better received (because this person will most likely pay into the system), but this person shows inclination to following the rules.

One of the key factors in a thriving economy is people following rules, I know many people in this country have a problem following rules, but somebody has to be an example and what better people would be foreigners who come here, show the way of making a good living and show native Dominicans that following the rules does pay out.

Anyhow, this is more on Chinese-Dominicans, so let's not carry this further, at least not on this thread.

[NewinSantiago]

I live in a US community where 50% of the people are Chinese. I am glad you talk about rules here because I want to let you know that Chinese here have a reputation of NOT following the rules. They may be legal residents here in my community but most of those who own businesses practice illegal and unhuman workers exploitation. Most of them have no respect for consumer protection laws either. For example, you purchase something from them and it is defective. Then it is such a hassle to get an exchange or your money back. As employers, most of them pay very low wages, treat workers like animals and deprive them of most of their rights. They threaten to fire them if they complain. On the street, you will see them pushing other people to be the first to get on the bus. They drive worse than most Dominicans and do not obey many of the traffic rules. I can bore you with so many examples. If I were Dominican, I would be happier to have illegal Haitians coming to my country than "legal" Chinese. I think most Haitians are in the Dominican Rep. to work honestly. Dominicans should be proud to have Haitians in their country. However, it seems to me, most Dominicans are afraid of the haitians skin color. Maybe it remembers them of their own African ancestry. Anyway, a society who considers skin color to be more important than moral integrity is still a very primitive society and does not deserve my respect.

Originally Posted by Nal0whs

On the other hand, a person who went through the legal procedures not only will be much better received (because this person will most likely pay into the system), but this person shows inclination to following the rules.

One of the key factors in a thriving economy is people following rules, I know many people in this country have a problem following rules, but somebody has to be an example and what better people would be foreigners who come here, show the way of making a good living and show native Dominicans that following the rules does pay out.

Anyhow, this is more on Chinese-Dominicans, so let's not carry this further, at least not on this thread.

[Timex]

I split the Thread, into a new Post.

Thanks
Tim H.