Witnessing a transformation

First Person | Wang Wenqian

Wang Wenqian, a translator for a Chinese construction company in the Republic of Congo

Chinese people account for the largest foreign grouping in the Republic of Congo. The local people hold totally contrasting opinions toward us; some of them don't like us because they think we have taken all the jobs, and they call us "Alibaba". That's not a reference to the Chinese e-commerce giant. Instead, they see us as being like Ali Baba and the 40 thieves.