The neighbourhood is also known for its celebration of the Chinese New Year. On January 22 the streets of South Belgrano dress up in bright red and golden yellow,as dragon-like puppets and chariots run through the streets undulating and waving to the rhythm of traditional Chinese music.
A proposal for the creation of Chinatown as an official barrio of Buenos Aires was promoted by a group of Asian businessmen for commercial purposes in 2006. The requested designation was without success,however,because "Chinatown" didn't reflect the real population structure of Belgrano,which is populated overwhelmingly by people who are not Asian in origin but European.
The Arch
Entrance to Chinatown,featuring its controversial paifang,an alleged donation from the Chinese government.
In 2009 an entrance arch was installed on Arribeños Street,a gift for the Argentina Bicentennial. Brought from China,at a cost of approximately $500,000,contributed by the Chinese Government without following municipal laws and requirements,as it lacked formal authorization from the Foreign Ministry of Argentina. There are several ongoing formal complaints about the numerous irregularities that exist in this donation.[3] The donation of this arch had been rejected by competent bodies on two occasions:by the Department of City Planning in 2006 and by the Evaluation Commission Acceptance of Donations Monuments and the Legislature of the Government of the City in 2007.
The installation of this arch,and its having been done without consultation is an issue of contention among neighbourhood residents (among them Taiwanese) who do not adhere to the Chinese Communist Party,and therefore view the arch as an imposition in their Buenos Aires home by the People's Republic of China.[citation needed]
Dedication plaque
Chinese Arch
The Chinese community in Argentina donates with affection this Arch on the occasion of the Bicentennial of May Revolution to the beautiful city of Buenos Aires and the great Argentine people thanking the generosity and love given to Chinese immigrants with the hope that the Chinese-Argentine friendship will last from generation to generation.
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