These are the real life stories of Luso (Portuguese) Asians and how they helped establish and maintain the first global economy connecting Europe and Asia.
Part 1 describes their early settlements across the Portuguese Overseas Empire, beginning with Goa in 1511, through migrations to Malacca, Indonesia, Siam, Macau, Hong Kong, and Shanghai up to the end of the Opium Wars in 1860.
Part 2 focuses on the largest group of Luso-Asians from Macau, the “Macanese”, who settled from 1842 in Hong Kong to work for the British colonial government, merchant houses, and international banks. Several stories of individuals, who were community activists, clerks, business owners, working class proprietors, and wartime refugees are offered to illustrate deteriorating relations with the government as World War II approached.
The conclusion then highlights recent efforts of expatriates to use technology to develop cultural and commercial exchanges with modern China, an attempt to recapture the traditional role of the Macanese as intermediaries and ambassadors of change.
“I read (The Macanese Community of Hong Kong) with detailed interest. …For years I had hoped someone as you would come to the fore to write on this topic, and you have now realized my expectation.”
Armando M. da Silva, Emeritus Professor, Towson University, Baltimore
“I have read (The Macanese at War) with great interest … The strong theme that comes through here is the “agency” of the Macanese under adversity.”
Geoffrey C. Gunn, Emeritus Professor, Nagasaki University
“Your article (on The Origins of Macau’s culture) is just wonderful. I have read your work several times. Please, continue. We need people like you.”
Lucio de Sousa, Professor, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
“I found your meticulously researched article (on the Hongkong Printing Press) very inspiring.”
Calvin Wong, Department of Chinese and History, City University of Hong Kong
