AfricaFeed

Africans in China: “Chocolate City” - the Other Side of the Story

Two excellent reports on African immigration to China, a cross cultural phenomenon that is not widely written about. “’Chocolate City’ - Africans Seek their dreams in China” was first published in the Southern Metropolis Daily in January 2008. The English translation appeared on Fool’s Mountain last June and has generated over 100 comments and much heated debate since then. The following passages are taken from the article:

“Every day after noon, “Chocolate City” begins to turn lively. Tens of thousands of black people seem to erupt from the ground in groups of twos and threes. Carrying large black plastic bags or wearing backpacks, they look through the stalls along the street. The stalls are filled with “tail goods” (excess production that did not meet quality standards) from thousands of small factories throughout Guangdong: blue jeans, unbranded television sets, hand-assembled cell phones.”

and…

“In their building, there are four or five African bosses who, based on their talent, sincerity, and of course a certain level of economic foundation, won the love of Chinese women. Some have had kids; yellow skin and curly hair, they look just like Barbie dolls. Based on the understanding of the mall’s manager Jiang Ganglong, for an African to lay down roots and open a store, it typically takes around four years of hard work. The primary reason they’re successful, is because they “have integrity, do things the Chinese way.”

Additionally, in this week’s New Yorker magazine online, Evan Osnos’s audio slide show, Nigeriatown, takes a look at the daily lives of Nigerians who have recently moved to Guangzhou. A lot has changed since this New York times article from 1989.

The photo above is taken from Evan Osnos’s audio slide .