Chinese businessmen in Belize are well-connected and control the grocery, fast food, restaurant and lottery trades. Furthermore, unlike their Belizean counterparts, they enjoy unrestricted access to more substantial sources of financing..
British Honduras (now Belize) first welcomed Chinese as indentured laborers during the mid-19th century as replacements for African slaves working sugar plantations and farms.
Chinese Traders in Belize
Chinese businesses in Belize are the primary employers of Belizeans of Chinese descent and an engine of economic development. Chinese-owned firms account for an impressive share of Belize’s food, beverage and sundries retail sector and fuel retail (gas stations). Furthermore, Chinese-owned firms own fast food franchises as well as fast food restaurant outlets as well as hotels and entertainment spots – they even run one of its most popular lotteries!
Many of Belize’s larger Chinese enterprises were started by individuals who immigrated from Mainland China or Taiwan, initially to serve as laborers after slavery was abolished in British territories. After 1865 when 470 male indentured servants from the Amoy region of southeastern China arrived for work on sugar plantation farms in Orange Walk and Corozal districts of Belize; over 100 had died due to overworking, disease and drastic climate and diet shifts within one year!
Belize attracted another wave of Chinese immigration during the late 1970s and early 1980s to take advantage of its economic citizenship program, which allows people from around the world to invest in businesses while receiving full Belizean citizenship in return. According to government estimates, this initiative has greatly strengthened Belize’s economy by creating jobs and stimulating demand for luxury products such as designer handbags.
Over the last decade, trade between Belize and China has grown tremendously. In 2013, Belize exported $46 million worth of tobacco, coffee, spices and high-tech products while purchasing around $112 million of textiles, machinery and high-tech goods from China.
Though their economic contributions to Belize are substantial, Chinese families also pride themselves on maintaining strong family ties and family values. Most larger Chinese companies in Belize are owned and run by members of one family; cultural practices like eating dinner together as a group and celebrating two major holidays–Lunar New Year and Dragon Boat Festival–are still observed by most Chinese households living here.
Most Chinese in Belize remain fiercely loyal to their homeland. For example, several overseas Chinese organizations strongly opposed Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit in March 2018, calling her visit a violation of “one China policy.” Additionally, Chinese community activists in Belize have actively protested against government policies selling economic citizenship to foreign nationals.
Chinese Businessmen in Belize
Chinese businessmen in Belize contribute significantly to its economy. They dominate in areas like grocery, fast food, restaurant, lottery and property trading – as well as operating several of Belize’s top banks. Due to tight family ties many businesses run by these Chinese families are family-run; this allows for them to pool resources while providing better services to clients. They are also involved with social and cultural aspects of community events, hosting Chinese New Year celebrations with lion dances, drums, gongs and cymbals!
The Chinese community in Belize is an active and vibrant group that has seamlessly blended into Belizean society while honoring their heritage. Members can be found across every district and participate in all aspects of life from politics, sports and business.
Though only make up a fraction of the population, their impact on the economy can be tremendously felt. Visible in city streets and malls throughout the country, you may often spot them hard at work in their various trades – respected among their peers and revered throughout their nation of residence.
Political relations between China and Belize remain strong. Since former President Jiang Zemin’s 13-day Latin America tour in 2001, both nations have held numerous high-level exchanges. China has intensified its military and economic engagement with Latin America in recent months. Since 2010, they have donated millions in medical equipment – such as ventilators and diagnostic test kits – to hospitals in Haiti; donated military vehicles and motorcycles to police departments in Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago; as well as conducted regional training exercises. China’s COVID-19 diplomacy in Latin America is part of its wider strategy to curry favor with governments across the region and isolate Taiwan – which now only recognizes seven countries from what had previously been more than twelve.
Chinese Restaurants
Belizeans might think Chinese food consists solely of fried chicken, steak and chow mein; however, this assumption would be inaccurate. Most Chinese restaurants in Belize are family owned and run, maintaining traditional values and customs while adding tropical twists that add depth and variety to their dishes.
One example is using coconut milk in place of heavy cream, which provides both lighter textures and its own unique sweetness to dishes served on mainland China. Another unique touch comes from adding Garifuna spices and flavors into classic Chinese dishes; Garifuna culture embodies an intriguing mix of African, Caribbean and Belizean influences, featuring languages with Arawak roots that include French Creole Spanish Spanish influences that come together beautifully during dances, customs celebrations as well as dishes such as fish sere (garifuna fish sere), cassava bread or bundiga (fish soup).
Chinese family structures have enabled cultural practices to span generations, with cultural practices often passing down through families. Social gatherings at home often include eating together and playing Chinese dominoes for entertainment. Chinese immigrants also play an essential part of Belize’s economy as “corner store grocers.” Their fearless yet aggressive business approach enables them to take on larger competitors with ease.
Belizeans can enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine right in their neighborhood through popular Chinese restaurants located throughout Belize; many offer take out service, making this cuisine accessible even to busy Belizeans.
For an unforgettable dining experience, try Belizean Chinese Boil Up. This filling and flavorful dish consists of simmering pig tail, cassava, plantains, sweet potatoes and vegetables in a rich broth with various toppings and garnishes to complete this satisfying culinary journey.
Chinese Holidays
Belize is an incredible showcase of cultural diversity. Maya, Creole, Garifuna, Spanish, East Indian, and Chinese cultures each bring elements unique to them and come together in Belize to form an eclectic “melting pot” of different ethnicities that is evident through food, language, dance music art religion.
In 1865, Chinese migrants first entered what was then British Honduras as indentured laborers. Unfortunately, their tropical climate proved fatal for most men within one or two years; those that did survive moved to Orange Walk and Corozal where they set up small businesses such as shops, laundries, and opium houses; eventually many moved on to Toledo District and Belize City.
Once slavery had been abolished, another wave of mainland Chinese migrants arrived in Belize. While their predecessors had mostly focused on agriculture, this group were more entrepreneurial. Settling mostly in Orange Walk and Corozal districts along with Belize City; their success in business proved limited and their stay relatively brief.
Today, most Chinese in Belize live and conduct businesses in Belize City. They celebrate traditional holidays like Lunar New Year with great celebration and feasting; it marks an opportunity to cast away bad luck from previous years and welcome good fortune into a brand new one – with red representing wealth and good luck serving as their preferred color throughout festivities.
Beyond food, Chinese in Belize enjoy drama, song and dance, arts and crafts such as carving animals or bowls from wood or ceramic, engraving slate with their designs or basket/cloth weaving for basketry purposes. When it comes to religion they practice various Chinese philosophies like Ancestor Worship, Taoism, Buddhism or Catholicism via its mission in Dangriga – while Catholicism was introduced through Dangriga Mission as well. All together these factors make up part of Belizean life that embraces diversity while respecting cultural differences amongst them all!
