13-th June is a date for memory, president Panama Juan Carlos Varela announced diplomatic relations with PRC. Meanwhile he mentioned the first railway in Panama was built by Chinese laborers. And this is the infrastructure construction of Panama Canal.
Panama canal connects Pacific ocean and Atlantic ocean. At the beginning of the 19-th century, with development of transportation, railway construction became an ideal solution for connecting the two oceans. In 1846, USA defeated France and UK, and got right to build Panama railway, whose total length is 76.6km.
In 1850, project began, however because of local harsh natural environment, thousands of labors died of infectious diseases. Labor shortage became the biggest problem in railway construction.
Government recruited hard working Chinese people in Guangdong and Fujian provinces. They worked without complaint, worked longer time, without moments of smoking or chatting, started work immediately after having lunch. Hard work was approved by employer. However...
This irritated labors from Ireland, according to labor contract, Chinese labors deserved salary of 25 dollars, deducts meals cost, transportation cost from China to Panama and other daily costs, they received only 4-5 dollars a month.
Some labors suffered from depression because of different traditions and homesick, as a result, over 100 Chinese commited suicide.
Under each railway sleeper of 76km length in total, buried one Chinese labor...
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