Jaime Jiang has been in Lanzarote for almost 30 years and feels at home. In addition to being a successful businessman, he dedicates part of his time to helping his compatriots integrate into the Lanzarote community and create ties between both societies.
Jiang is the promoter of the Aid Foundation for the Chinese Community in the Canary Islands and in an interview with Ekonomus he explains the work of this entity, his love for the island and his desire to promote tourism from China.
"There are about 3,000 Chinese in Lanzarote and more than 20,000 in the entire Canary Islands"
If Jiang is clear about something when promoting the Aid Foundation for the Chinese Community, it is that it goes in both directions. “Anyone can participate in the foundation, both from the Chinese community and from the local community”, he explains.
The Chinese businessman is very grateful after a recent meeting with the president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, who offered them his “support and collaboration” to work together for the well-being of the Chinese community on the island.
According to data from the foundation, in Lanzarote there are "about 3,000 Chinese and in the entire Canary Islands more than 20,000". Jiang points out that "most of the Chinese who left during the pandemic have returned."
The double identity
“Those of us who have been here for many years can go to China for a season, but we soon miss Spain and its customs, which are already part of us as citizens of both places.”
Jiang says that he has been in Lanzarote for almost 30 years and feels at home: “The locals have always treated me as if I were from here, Lanzarote is a paradise” and highlights in particular the climate, the beaches and the gastronomy of the island.
"I like living here because of the treatment, the climate and the security levels"
From China, he highlights the enormous technological development that the country has experienced since he came to Spain: “I would like to work to have more exchange, for example, that more technological products from China arrive in Lanzarote and that the island's wine can be sold in China.”
When asked if life is better in Spain than in other European countries with Chinese communities, Jaime Jiang does not hesitate: “I personally love living in Spain, both for the personal treatment, the climate and the security levels.”
Procedures, languages, exchange and investments
Jiang explains that for years they have been helping newcomers with “the procedures they need, such as registration, or the renewal of visas through the Spanish Embassy in China.”
Until now there were several associations, but the Foundation, whose formalization is being processed in the Cabildo, groups them together and expands its ambition.
"We want to organize Spanish classes and if some locals want to learn Chinese, they can also do so"
“In collaboration with the Cabildo and with the town halls of the island, we want, in addition to helping with the procedures, to organize Spanish classes and if some locals want to learn Chinese, they can also do so. We also want to facilitate investments from China to create employment in Lanzarote.”
The Foundation also holds meetings with the Chinese Consulate in Tenerife and with the Embassy in Madrid.
Most of the Chinese in Lanzarote come from a province of China
The Chinese residents in Lanzarote come from all regions of the Asian giant, but more than 50% come from the province of Fujian, one of the most prosperous in the country.
Fujian has great economic dynamism, with many of its own industries, from tea production to clothing manufacturing and the manufacture of sporting goods, and large companies from other countries such as Boeing, Dell, GE, Kodak, Nokia, Siemens and Panasonic.
Promote tourism to Lanzarote
Regarding the island's tourist potential for the Chinese market, Jaime believes that Chinese tourists would like the island very much “for its natural wealth, its climate and its landscape.”
“The last 30 years of development in China have made the Chinese want to enjoy nature and tranquility during their vacations,” he points out.
"We are organizing a visit to China with local businessmen to attract tourism"
“We are precisely talking with several agencies about the issue and we are in contact with the Chinese Chamber of Tourism in Spain. For next March we are organizing a visit to China with local businessmen to raise this project and attract tourism to the Canary Islands,” he anticipates.