As of 2009, official figures showed there are a total of 145,000 Chinese nationals residing in Spain. The majority migrated to the south European country starting in the late 1980s. So far, 22,000 of them have taken Spanish citizenship. Although the number of Chinese nationals in Spain is much less than those in Romania, Ecuador and Bolivia, some 27,000 Chinese immigrants own their own businesses in Spain.

According to Wang Lingyu, president of The Qingtian Chinese Association in Spain, most of his overseas compatriots in Spain work in the Chinese food industry, and the diversified development occurred in late 1990s.

Now, Chinese living overseas have expanded their scope of business to a wide range of fields, such as retail and wholesale of general merchandise and food, travel agencies, construction, beauty and hairdressing, legal services, lighting, telecommunication as well as promotion of Chinese culture. Chinese businesses in Spain continued to grow, despite the global credit crunch last year, with some of them opening branches in rural areas, expanding their factories or stores by 1,000 to 1,500 square meters, or renting new shops in urban areas.

The growth of overseas Chinese in Spain also boosted the development of the local economy. Ni Yemin, the secretariat of Overseas Chinese Associations in Spain, said when he first came to Madrid there were, at most, three garment stores owned by Chinese, and everything there seemed lifeless. However, as more and more Chinese came to Madrid and opened their businesses, this part of the city has gained popularity for garment wholesale. It attracted many local residents and even people from Morocco.

Local officials all gave a thumbs up when talking about the role Chinese businessmen have played in Spain. Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón said in his Spring Festival address that Chinese businessmen had made splendid contributions to the prosperity and development of Madrid. Chinese expatriates provided the city of Madrid with indispensable services through hard work and new businesses.

Additionally, Chinese businesses there also won admiration from the locals. Shops owned by Chinese are the first to open and last to close, and many local residents like to shop there. Shop owners and customers are on good terms. In Barcelona, some Chinese have opened bars. A Polish reporter there said she liked to visited Chinese bars because of the tasty food and good service.

Source: People's Daily Online