Chinese-Algerian new generation

They have Algerian birth certificates, speak Arabic very well and get their documents from civil state counters like Algerians. This new Algerian generation has Chinese blood following mixed marriage between Algerians and Chinese. This situation has become common since thousands of Chinese started coming to Algeria.

They have lived there for 12 years. They got married with Algerians and gave birth to a new generation with Chinese hair, small eyes and round faces but they are Algerians. Some Chinese were born in Algeria as their parents gave birth to more than one child with no fears of their country policy. This new human mixture in Algeria is growing from “Chinese towns” created in the heart of the Algerian society.

Not far from Al Alia cemetery in Bab Ezzouar area eastern Algiers, the biggest Chinese area was created in Algeria. This place is under the control of a large number of Chinese who came to Algeria, ten years ago. They worked in workshops as part of the AADL housing project but they settled down with their families and children in the famous area “Bousshaki”. They created a Chinese society called “China Town”. They rented small rooms for 40,000 to 50,000 DZ per month where they carried out big commercial deals.

When we got in the isolated area, it seemed abandoned. Yet, heavy trucks carrying containers from the Algiers Port arrived. Tens of Algerian workers surrounded them to unload goods coming from China. They took them to garages where their owners were sitting in their shops behind computers to run the transactions. Vehicles driven by Algerians came from different provinces to buy the goods and they paid in cash.

We learnt that Chinese in Boushaki area run the largest free trade zone far from security forces. Most of them operate without commercial registers and deal with four big transit centers in Algiers. Of them, an import-export center owned by an Egyptian married with a Chinese woman called Meriem. They tied the knot in Algeria, about two years ago. They have an Algerian record book. This man is in charge of export operations in favor of those Chinese.

From Buddhism to Islam to marry Algerians

In this “China Town”, Chinese people are living with their families and children who were born in the Algerian area. They speak Arabic and Algerian dialect. Of them, a boy named Nounou. He has Chinese features but he speaks Arabic fluently. He was wearing an Algerian sports uniform and singing an Algerian song in support of the national football squad. He likes drinking tea and enjoys eating spaghetti. It is the favorite meal for Chinese families.

His Chinese father has lived in Boushaki area for 7 years. He refused to make a statement and just said “khatini.” It is an Algerian word which means “it’s not me”. He pointed at a shop belong to a Chinese called Maou. He is a-40-year old man coming from Shanghai. He has rented a 16-square-meter-shop for 60,000 DZ per month for five years selling blankets. He told Echorouk his wife is in Algeria but his three children are in China. Upstairs in the shop, there is a small room which looks like a wooden box. The couple has lived there for years. Most of the Chinese in this area live with their children in such rooms. They cook on a small stove on a small table.

They work in the worst social conditions. “They live like rats in garages and dark rooms. They use cardboard as blankets. They like neither policemen nor strangers. They don’t communicate with people,” an Algerian neighbor said.

At “152 China” shop which is divided in a boutique and a family room, a woman speaking Arabic is living. She has a one-year-old-girl called Aya. She has Algerian features. She looks like her father Nabil who is nearly 30 years old. He knew his wife in the Algiers International exhibition. She converted to Islam and changed her name to Sonia.

Nabil told Echorouk Chinese woman are perfect wives. “They are not demanding. A marriage with a Chinese girl only needs a wedding red dress.”

It is said Chinese parents give their daughter’s husband a large sum of money and help him to enter the trade world.

Ali is a 22-year-old Chinese man who converted to Islam and changed his name from Tsougha. He has been living in Algeria for three years. He felt in love with an Algerian girl. He asked her to marry him but she cheated him and stole his money. He planned to leave Algeria and not coming back.