Stories of dreams and perseverance, but above all, a chronicle of the friendship that united two countries through the understanding of their peoples. That is what the Mexican public will be able to appreciate at the photography exhibition History of the Chinese Community in Mexico, which opened on July 15 at the Leo Acosta Gallery in the Mexican city of Pachuca, Hidalgo State. 

The photography exhibition History of the Chinese Community in Mexico opens on July 15 at the Leo Acosta Gallery in the Mexican city of Pachuca, Hidalgo State (JUAN CARLOS AGUILAR)   

Organized to commemorate the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen’s birth and the 115th anniversary of the 1911 Revolution, and presented under the theme Remembering History, Respecting History, Ethnic Inclusion, and Looking Toward the Future, the exhibition consists of 150 images that chronicle, through more than a century and a half of experiences, the mark left by Chinese migration in Mexico--from the early years of adaptation to the community’s establishment and integration. 

The exhibition was made possible thanks to the Guangzhou Business Association in Mexico, as well as the collaboration of the Chinese-Mexican Center A.C. and the Hidalgo State Ministry of Culture. The Chinese Embassy in Mexico served as the guiding entity, while the China Cultural Center in Mexico, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, the Guangzhou and Zhongshan Overseas Chinese Federations, the China-Mexico Cultural Development Foundation and the Confucius Institute in Mexico City served as supporting organizations. 

Traces of a journey  

Over the course of these 150 years of history, the economic, social and cultural contributions of the Chinese community in Mexico have been evident, as is the bridge of friendship that has been built between the two countries since then. This deep bond is also reflected in one of the prints, which reads, “It is like a river that flows eternally”--a reality that has endured to this day, as understanding and collaboration grow ever closer. 

“Every photograph, every document and every testimony we present today represents an invaluable part of that historical memory. They are traces of the journey taken by the Chinese community and reflect the spirit of hard work, unity and perseverance that has characterized our ancestors,” said He Qiang, President of the Guangzhou Business Association, at the opening of the exhibition. 

Before an audience of more than 200 people, he noted that the photographs--which come from the archives of families living in states such as Baja California, Tamaulipas and Chiapas--not only pay tribute to those who came before them, but also seek to pass on their legacy, strengthen cultural identity and promote the values of peace, cooperation and friendship between the two communities. 

“The Guangzhou Business Association in Mexico will continue to serve as a bridge between the two countries, uniting the Chinese community and promoting economic cooperation, cultural exchange and the participation of younger generations, in order to contribute to the ongoing strengthening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Mexico,” he added. 

Joining He on the podium were Neyda Naranjo Baltazar, Secretary of Culture for the state of Hidalgo; Li Kehai, Minister-Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Mexico; Li Lin, Director of the China Cultural Center in Mexico; Huihu Zhu, exhibition coordinator; and Steve Chi Mikel, Director of the Chinese-Mexican Center A.C. 

In his remarks, Li Kehai recalled the achievements of the politician, statesman and ideologue Sun Yat-sen, who led the 1911 Revolution, which overthrew the “monarchical autocracy” of the last imperial dynasty, i.e. the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and established the Republic of China. 

Following these events, he explained, “the country’s modern national democratic revolution began, which greatly advanced ideological emancipation and opened the floodgates of progress in China. Throughout this magnificent historical process, overseas Chinese have consistently shared the same spirit and destiny with their homeland. On one occasion, Dr. Sun said that overseas Chinese are the mother of the revolution--an expression that aptly sums up the indelible historical contributions made by our compatriots abroad,” he said. 

Li noted that China’s modernization is currently advancing toward high-quality development aimed at providing “an unprecedented opportunity for overseas compatriots to realize their aspirations and give back to their ancestral homeland.” 

Respecting roots  

Neyda Naranjo Baltazar, Hidalgo’s Secretary of Culture, took the opportunity to celebrate Chinese migration in Mexico, noting that it is “full of examples of hard work, perseverance, identity and contribution.” 

With regard to the 150 photographs that make up the exhibition, which had already been on display in September 2025 at the National Museum of Popular Cultures in Mexico City, she noted: “They invite us to look at the past with gratitude, to understand the present with sensitivity, but above all, to build a future based on respect, mutual cooperation and understanding.” 

Naranjo was pleased that Hidalgo had been chosen as the first state in the country to host the exhibition, which will likely tour other states, and added that the images served as an invaluable testimony to the migration process experienced by China. 

“For more than a century, thousands of families found in Mexico a place to settle, where they could share their traditions and enrich the cultural diversity that distinguishes us as a nation and as a state nowadays. These are family memories transformed into collective heritage. They are the memory of generations that have contributed to our country’s economic, social and cultural development and that allow us to recognize the deep bond that unites Mexico and China today,” she emphasized. 

According to her, people in Hidalgo hold the belief that culture has the power to bring together what geographical distance separates. 

“When we learn about the history of other people, we also discover universal values: respect for family, love for traditions, the importance of preserving memory and the conviction to build more open societies. Today we celebrate the richness of Chinese culture, but also the values we share as people: solidarity, hard work, resilience and a deep respect for our roots.” 

The most moving moment came from Zhu, the exhibition’s coordinator, who shared with the audience how his grandfather had arrived in Mexico in 1914, and how ever since his ancestors had cemented deep roots in a country that had welcomed them with open arms. Zhu is now part of the third generation in Mexico, while the fourth generation is represented by his son, born in 1992. 

Before the official opening of the exhibition, the audience was treated to a traditional Chinese lion dance in Juárez Square and enjoyed other Chinese artistic performances. Later, attendees were able to view the photographs, printed in medium and small formats, and embrace an idea that was evident throughout the event: hope for the future, the value of friendship between China and Mexico, and the promotion of mutual well-being. 

Comments to lixiaoyang@cicgamericas.com