East Asia & Latin America: A Pacific History Exhibition at Mexico City’s Colegio de San Ildefonso

In 1595, the San Agustín embarked on a perilous journey across the Pacific, a vital link in the Manila galleon trade connecting Asia with Latin America. This trade, predating many commonly recognized global networks, involved the exchange of goods like Chinese porcelain for silver mined in Mexico. Today, a fresh chapter in East Asia-Latin America relations is unfolding, marked by increased diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation. This shift is highlighted by the exhibition Somos Pacífico. El mundo que emergió del trópico (“We Are the Pacific: The World That Emerged from the Tropics”) at the Colegio de San Ildefonso in Mexico City, which explores the historical and contemporary ties between these regions.

The exhibition, a merging of previous displays at Singapore’s Asian Civilisations Museum and National Gallery, examines the legacy of the Manila galleon trade and the artistic parallels between Southeast Asia and Latin America. It coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Singapore and Singapore’s plans to open a resident embassy in Mexico City in 2026, signaling a deepening of ties.

A History of Exchange: The Manila Galleon Trade

The Manila galleon trade, lasting from the 16th to the 19th centuries, was the first truly global mercantile network. Spanish Manila served as the hub, gathering goods from across Asia – gems from South Asia, spices from Southeast Asia, and silk and porcelain from East Asia – to be shipped across the Pacific to Mexico. In return, the galleons carried silver from the mines of Peru and products like chocolate and pineapples from Mexico. This exchange wasn’t simply economic; it facilitated a cultural diffusion, as evidenced by the adoption of Chinese porcelain designs in Mexican pottery and the integration of Manila shawls into traditional Zapotec dress.

The trade route was fraught with challenges. The journey, often taking up to six months, demanded sophisticated naval engineering and faced the constant threat of storms, as tragically demonstrated by the fate of the San Agustín. Despite the risks, the galleons played a crucial role in connecting disparate cultures and economies.

Cultural Convergence and Artistic Echoes

Somos Pacífico highlights the artistic connections that emerged from this historical exchange. The exhibition draws parallels between modernist artists from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia and their contemporaries in Mexico and Brazil. Both groups, according to the exhibition’s curators, shared a desire to forge new national identities and often employed abstraction and Indigenous imagery in their work. Like the Mexican muralists, artists in Southeast Asia sought to create art that was accessible to the masses and reflected their social and political realities.

The exhibition showcases how artistic styles and techniques traveled across the Pacific, influencing local traditions. A Japanese-style folding screen depicting the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan exemplifies this cultural blending. The display of these works alongside the murals at the Colegio de San Ildefonso, created during a period of revolutionary fervor in Mexico, underscores the shared spirit of artistic innovation and social commentary.

Recovering Lost Histories: The “Chinos” and Colonial Records

Although the exhibition sheds light on the connections between East Asia and Latin America, it also acknowledges the gaps in historical knowledge. The story of the “chinos”—Asians who arrived in Latin America through the galleon trade—remains largely untold. Many of these individuals, often arriving as slaves or laborers, assimilated into local populations and were subsequently underrepresented in colonial records. Historians are now working to recover these lost histories, recognizing the significant contributions of Asian communities to Latin American culture and society. The case of Catarina de San Juan, a “china” slave turned miracle-working nun whose biography was censored by the Inquisition, exemplifies the challenges of uncovering these narratives.

Modern Alliances and Geopolitical Shifts

The renewed focus on East Asia-Latin America relations isn’t solely rooted in historical ties. Economic factors are playing an increasingly important role. Bilateral trade between Mexico and Singapore reached $4.7 billion in 2024, a significant increase from the previous year. Mexico is positioning itself as a hub for nearshoring, attracting investment as companies seek alternatives to China, while Singapore offers a gateway to Asian markets.

This growing economic interdependence is accompanied by increased diplomatic engagement. The opening of a Singaporean embassy in Mexico City in 2026 is a concrete step towards strengthening bilateral relations. Officials from both regions emphasize the importance of challenging Eurocentric perspectives and forging new partnerships in a multipolar world. As one official stated, the current geopolitical climate necessitates a reevaluation of traditional alliances and a greater focus on cooperation between the Global South.

What’s Next?

The exhibition Somos Pacífico and the growing diplomatic and economic ties between East Asia and Latin America suggest a long-term trend towards greater cooperation. Further research into the historical connections between these regions, particularly the experiences of marginalized communities like the “chinos,” will be crucial for a more complete understanding of this complex relationship. As the global order continues to shift, these alliances may become increasingly important for navigating the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

¤

Installation view, Somos Pacífico, 2025–26. Colegio de San Ildefonso. Courtesy Asian Civilisations Museum.