“Chinese Stores and Other Businesses”

On the 15th of May at 18:00 on the 4th floor of the Museu do Oriente, another session of DIALOGUES AND TRAVEL – ASIAN COMMUNITIES IN PORTUGAL, an initiative promoted by Fundação Oriente and coordinated by Jorge Macaísta Malheiros (Professor of the Center for Geographical Studies at the Faculty of Letters of the University of Lisbon), whose objective is to promote dialogue between “Lusos” and Asian communities and contribute to the strengthening of intercultural relations. It is also intended to disseminate social and cultural aspects associated with Asian communities residing in Portugal, as well as to debate the contributions of Asian communities to the dynamics of transformation and social innovation of urban societies in Portugal and Europe. There is still time to publish the results of scientific studies on various aspects of Asian immigration to Europe, which contribute to dispelling myths and stereotypes.

Over the last few decades, there has been an expansion in the number of Asian commercial establishments in Portugal. In this context, the issue of “Chinese stores” and Chinatowns has emerged, which have been the subject of controversy in several European cities, including Lisbon.

After all, should Asian-owned commerce be spatially concentrated or not? Are there correct and incorrect locations for Asian homeowners’ stores? Asian traders, namely Chinese, have privileges that indigenous traders do not benefit from in terms of tax or access to credit; or is this idea just a prejudice? And since this is a prejudice, what is your intention? And what is the contribution of these establishments to employment, product and tax revenue?

These are some of the questions that are intended to be addressed in a debate whose framework is situated at the level of the significance of the presence of Asian commercial establishments for the economic dynamics and urbanism of the cities in which they are installed.

Additional information:

Free entry – Subject to confirmation to dci@foriente.pt

Target Audience: Adults

Date: May 8, 2009

Location: 4th floor of the Museu do Oriente

Hours: 18:00 – 20:00

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