In the heart of Mexico City’s Nuevo Polanco, a neighborhood known for its upscale living and commercial vibrancy, the presence of authentic Chinese cuisine and culture is flourishing. This cultural infusion is not only a treat for residents like Angel Xiao, a Chinese operations strategist, but also a reflection of a larger economic trend.
The rise of Chinese corporate influence has transformed Nuevo Polanco into a hub of Chinese culinary and commercial activity. Xiao can easily find dishes reminiscent of home, such as biang biang noodles at Shaanxi Sabor or Lanzhou beef noodle soup at Yiwan Ramen. For home-cooked meals, the Nueva Era Chinese Supermarket supplies traditional ingredients like corkscrew chili and fermented red bean paste.
This abundance of Chinese food options coincides with the influx of Chinese tech companies establishing offices in the area. Between 2020 and 2024, Chinese direct investment in Mexico surged from $85 million to $710 million. Notable tech firms like Huawei, TikTok, Oppo, BYD, Shein, Xiaomi, and Alibaba Cloud have set up shop in Nuevo Polanco.
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The influx of Chinese businesses has brought with it an abundance of Chinese shops and restaurants catering to immigrants and locals.
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The burgeoning Chinese population in Nuevo Polanco has been accompanied by a notable increase in temporary resident cards for Chinese nationals, skyrocketing by 623% between 2020 and 2024, according to the National Migration Institute. Chinese nationals now represent the fourth-largest immigrant group in Mexico.
Nuevo Polanco has been a destination of choice for Chinese tech professionals since Huawei’s establishment in Plaza Carso in 2017. This complex, owned by Mexican telecom magnate Carlos Slim, includes shopping, residential, and office spaces and is home to Telcel and América Móvil, Huawei’s major clients in Latin America. Companies like Oppo and Xiaomi have since opened offices in Carso, bringing with them Chinese expats.
Alonso Coronado, general manager of Shaoyao Consulting, notes, “Most Chinese companies like to appoint their own CEOs and CFOs and fly them in. These expats move into Mexico for two or three years, but they’re later substituted by another expat.” Lower-ranking employees, like engineers and data analysts, often share living spaces for communal support and convenience.
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Billboards for major Chinese brands such as Shein dot Nuevo Polanco. Chinese immigrants have opened a variety of businesses.
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Chinese firms have been expanding their reach in Mexico and Latin America, with Huawei overcoming U.S. market bans to succeed in countries like Peru and Colombia. BYD, a recent entrant in Mexico, has quickly become a major player, claiming to have sold 80,000 cars since 2023. Meanwhile, Shein ranks among the most downloaded apps in Mexico, inspiring numerous resellers with its popularity.
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Geely and Chirey, two major Chinese carmakers, have opened showrooms in Polanco.
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The burgeoning Chinese presence is also evident in the local culinary scene. Restaurants like Mu Lan and Buenos Vecinos cater to this demographic, offering dishes from Cantonese to Sichuan cuisine. Meanwhile, Mexican locals are discovering new flavors, such as malatang, a spicy Sichuan soup that offers a healthier lunch alternative.
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While Chinese enterprises continue to thrive in Mexico, economic tensions persist. Mexico has increased tariffs on Chinese fast fashion and proposed higher duties on cars. Despite these challenges, Chinese firms are expanding their reach, evident in TikTok’s new job openings and the growth of Chinese smartphone brands in the Mexican market. As these businesses grow, the demand for Chinese culinary delights is likely to increase as well.
Original Story at restofworld.org