On September 25th 2:00 PM, the T2-202 lecture hall held an in-depth lecture on the history of the Chinese Cuban community. The event, hosted by the Department of Communication, featured a special guest speaker, Dr. Louie Kin-Sheun, an honorary researcher at the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Dr. Louie, with his extensive background in political science and profound research experience, delivered a compelling analysis of the over 170-year immigration history of the Chinese Cuban community. His persuasive presentation enlightened the attendees about the rise and fall of the Chinese Cuban community, unraveling a captivating historical narrative that is seldom discussed but of great charm.
Speaker Dr. Louie Kin-Sheun
At the beginning of the lecture, Dr. Louie enriched his talk with a wealth of historical images and a wealth of data as he illustrated Cuba's political and economic transformation since independence, giving the audience a more vivid understanding of the country's development journey.
Dr. Louie focused on the suffering of Chinese labourers in Cuba during his lecture. Following the 19th-century prohibition of the African slave trade by European nations, Cuba, among other countries, faced a labour shortage. Consequently, more than 150,000 Chinese individuals became "indentured labourers" in Cuba, bound by contracts written in an unfamiliar language, depriving them of basic rights and a means of escape. Many of these labourers perished aboard "ghost ships" due to scarce resources and the negligence of the crew during their voyage to Cuba. The trade of Chinese coolies was eventually halted in 1874 amidst external pressures and internal strife. The deep investigation by officials from the Qing government led to a realization of the importance of diplomatic relations by the Chinese administration.
After the Cuban revolution in 1959, the development and living space for Chinese people in Cuba shrank once again. Chinese residents in Cuba were unable to settle and secure basic living conditions. To this day, Chinese faces are a rarity on the streets of Cuba. Dr. Louie stated, "The history of the Chinese Cuban community is undoubtedly a sad story; it experienced periods of great prosperity and also suffered unimaginable ups and downs."
Dr. Louie presents valuable historical materials
During the lecture, Dr. Louie mentioned that his interest in this topic stemmed from personal experiences within his family. Upon uncovering more than 200 letters exchanged between his mother in China and father who resides in Cuba, Dr. Louie found a deep resonance with the profound experiences of Chinese expatriates living in Cuba. This realization prompted him to delve into this field extensively, intending to document the historical narratives of his compatriots. This poignant account visibly moved the audience.
The attentiveness of teachers and students
Following Dr. Louie’s presentation, teachers shared their reflections, and students engaged in discussions. Dr. Louie also shared his experiences on how to establish closeness with interviewees, creating a lively and relaxed atmosphere.
Teachers and students actively ask questions
This lecture not only showcased Dr. Louie’s enlightening insights into the history and migration issues of the Chinese overseas community but also provided a glimpse into the evolution of international relations through historical events, offering invaluable knowledge to all attendees.
After the lecture sharing, the teachers had in-depth communication
Word: Jiayi Luo
Photo: Jiayi Li