The Chinese diaspora in Chile and the solidarity movement to the homeland during the Second Sino-Japanese War

The Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) mobilised Chinese communities overseas, even in countries located thousands of kilometres from Asia. This article explores the actions of the Chinese community in Chile in their efforts to support China, collect donations, and influence public opinion in favour of their cause and against Japan. Focusing on the city of Iquique during 1938, the most intense year of solidarity activities, we argue that the Sino-Japanese War allowed the Chinese community to unite and garner sympathy in a local context previously marked by nationalism and hostility toward Asian immigrants. Therefore, we estimate that the Chinese overcame the Japanese in the ‘local war’ between these two Asian migrant communities, shifting public opinion in their favour.