The long history of the Chinese community in Puerto Rico shows their significant contributions and the ongoing impact they have in both Puerto Rico and the mainland US.
The Chinese community in Puerto Rico traces its origins back to the 19th century, when Chinese immigrants were forcibly brought to the Caribbean region. Over the years, additional waves of Chinese migration have arrived on the island. Today, with just over 1,843 residents of Chinese descent, the community remains an integral part of Puerto Rico’s culture that has extended to the mainland US.
Early Chinese Immigration to Puerto Rico (1840–1850)
The first wave of Chinese migration to the Carribean stemmed from the Opium Wars, (1839-1842) which left China weakened by significant territorial losses and widespread socioeconomic struggles. After the wars, China was forced to open its ports, initiating a period of increased globalization. This shift created new migration opportunities as well as vulnerabilities for Chinese workers.
During this time, Spanish colonial authorities in the Caribbean faced severe labor shortages. The need for cheap labor in the 1850s increased due to the abolition movement, leaving Spanish territories in the Caribbean in need of workers as they were heavily dependent on sugar plantations. In response, Spain launched what became known as “la trata amarilla (the yellow trade)” or the “Coolie Trade” targeting Chinese laborers as a solution.
The first large migration of Chinese labor migrants to Puerto Rico was from the Chinese population in Cuba. From 1865 to 1880, about 350 Chinese prisoners, mostly convicted of homicide in Cuba, were brought to Puerto Rico to work on projects like the Carretera Central (Central Highway). Some of these prisoners worked for over 14 years on this project and were noted in Spanish engineers' diaries as essential to its construction. Upon completing their sentences, many Chinese workers remained in Puerto Rico, establishing businesses, starting families, and integrating into Puerto Rican society through marriages with both Chinese and local Puerto Rican partners. Additionally, after the Chinese Exclusionary Act was passed (1882) in the US which barred Chinese workers for 10 years, many who intended to go to the mainland re-routed and settled in Puerto Rico instead.
A second large wave of Chinese immigration occurred during the 20th century, driven by economic hardships in other Caribbean and Latin American countries. Many young immigrants, often undocumented, came seeking work in Puerto Rico, drawn by the hope of better opportunities under US governance. This wave was particularly influenced by the 1959 Cuban Revolution, which forced many Chinese Cubans to flee as political and social upheavals destabilized the region.
The Contemporary Chinese Community in Puerto Rico
Today, Puerto Rico’s Chinese community remains thriving and visible, expressed through art, religion, language, and food. As of 2020, Puerto Rico has more than 450 Chinese restaurants across the island, many specializing in fusion food. In Ponce, Puerto Rico, King’s Cream –– previously known as Los Chinos de Ponce ––is a popular ice cream parlor for tourists and locals. Fusion food has also made its way to the mainland, exemplified by Chef Katy Michy’s restaurant Michy's Chino Boricua Kitchen located in Houston, Texas. Serving unique flavors to her diners, Michy draws from the food she grew up eating as the daughter of Chinese parents who migrated to Puerto Rico to run a Chinese restaurant.
In 2017, artist Monica Ching, a Chinese Puerto Rican, collaborated with Sabrina Ramos-Rubén on an art exhibit featuring photos, video performances, and discussions exploring her personal history. The exhibit reflected on her parents' journey as Chinese immigrants to Colombia and their eventual move to Puerto Rico, adding depth to the cultural narrative of the Chinese Puerto Rican community. On the island, Instituto de Mandarín: El Futuro is the only institute for children taught completely in Mandarin. Many Chinese Puerto Ricans are multilingual, often speaking Mandarin or Cantonese alongside English and Spanish.
The community’s increasing visibility is especially noticeable on social media. Last year, Puerto Rican-born TikToker Kishla went viral, highlighting her unique experience as an Asian Puerto Rican. In an interview with NBC News, Kishla shared, “I know I’m not the only Asian that was born here in Puerto Rico. I wanted to be that person they can look up to and say, "Okay, I’m not the only one.”
Samantha Garcia participates in the Young Professionals Program at the East-West Center in Washington, DC. She is also a student at Ewha Womans University, acquiring her M.A. in Development Cooperation with concentrations in East Asia and Womens Studies.