The dazzling skills of Brazilian footballers, ebullient Argentine tangoists and fragrant Colombian coffee seem far from enough to satiate the Chinese demand for all things from Latin America, a mysterious land half a world away.
In the eastern metropolis of Shanghai, Latin American culture has found its way into everyday life as typical Latin-style bar-and-grills, disco bars and cafeterias dot Shanghai's streets and highlight the city's popularity as a "global village."
"Most people in Shanghai work hard during the day and want some relaxation after work. The lively Latin music, dancing and novel cuisine work perfectly to that effect," said Ulises Seijo, who leads a Cuban band at a bar featuring Latin American music and food.
Many Chinese people have helped the Latin American culture take root in Shanghai.
Bai Anmao, a Chinese national who has spent many years in Argentina, is heavily involved in Sino-Latin American cultural exchanges.
Bai's Shanghai-based Boca Business Organization Company is committed to bridging Shanghai with Latin American countries in a wide range of cultural activities, sports, education and business. He also helps Shanghai-based enterprises make investigative tours in Latin America.
The former head of a non-governmental Chinese chamber of commerce in Argentina once invited an Argentine football team for a goodwill game in Shanghai. He also brought a group of Argentine tangoists to perform in China, and helped a Chinese troupe to stage traditional art performances in South America. In May 2001, Bai opened the "Boca", an Argentine style bar-and-grill in Shanghai. He recruited chefs from Buenos Aires and dotted the restaurant with Argentine style flagons, frescos and other exotic decorations which will "not just arouse the diners' curiosity, but promote Argentine culture in a real sense as well," he said.
Even Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo said Bai's restaurant was home to Latin Americans in China when he dined here during the Ninth Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in 2001.
Bora Milutinovic, the Serbian coach for China's national football team, also praised the original flavor of the food served by Bai's restaurant. "It's just like what you get in Pampas, Argentina," he said.
But the prosperous restaurant is only a sideline for Bai, who aims to open up more havens of Latin American culture in China.
"When opportunity arises, I'll bring more Chinese tourists to Latin America, which will one day become a major tourist attraction for its unpolluted environment, fresh air and exotic culture," he said.
Latin American countries, on the other hand, have also come to value Shanghai's cultural market, said Isabel Monroy, a diplomat at Mexico's Shanghai consulate.
Mexico, Cuba and many other countries received acclaim when they brought their outstanding movies to an international film festival in Shanghai last month.
Likewise, a Mayan civilization show hosted by the Shanghai Museum last year fascinated crowds of visitors with nearly 200 pieces of stone statuary, pottery and various utensils.
( July 9, 2002)
