In Panama, a Chinese businessman succeeds but stays connected

From his hometown in the Huadu district of Guangzhou, Guangdong province, Mai Qijia told his story of leaving for Panama at the age of 32, looking for better business opportunities.

He was one of hundreds of people from the district who sought profits abroad in the early 1980s, shortly after China had begun to implement its reform and opening-up policy.

Before moving, Mai, now honorary president of the Chinese Association of Panama, ran a store in China specializing in hardware accessories and farm machine maintenance.