ABSTRACT
This chapter draws attention to an unexpected consequence of the arrival first of the Portuguese and then of the Spanish in East and Southeast Asia: the Asian Diaspora. The spectacular return of the ship Victoria in 1522 awoke in Spain a burning interest in the riches of the Far East. One of Cristbal de Haro's slaves, who went by the evocative name of Tristn de la China, embarked on Loaysa's flagship along with more renowned passengers. Although Tristn identified himself by the surname "de la China", there is no definite evidence that proves that he was from China; indeed, it is possible that he had been born in Malaysia or elsewhere in Asia. Chinese men were all declared Christians, since sixteenth-century Spain would not have permitted it any other way. It is clear that Spanish officials returning home from Manila managed to surreptitiously bring Chinese servants or slaves along with their entourage.
