# XVIII: Investigation of the Coolie Traffic in Peru explained — My Life in China and America

> Chapter companion for My Life in China and America by Yung Wing.

## What happens

Yung Wing returns to China in 1873 to introduce the Gatling gun, and while in Tientsin, he confronts the Peruvian Commissioner about the brutal coolie trade. At Viceroy Li Hung Chang's request, Yung Wing travels to Peru to investigate the treatment of Chinese coolies, gathering photographic evidence of their abuse. His report, along with Chin Lan Pin's similar investigation in Cuba, leads to the end of the coolie traffic to those countries.

## Themes in this chapter

### Corruption and Personal Integrity

Yung Wing's refusal to support the coolie trade and his efforts to expose its abuses highlight his personal integrity against systemic corruption.

### Modernization vs. Tradition

Yung Wing's introduction of the Gatling gun represents a push for modernization, while the coolie trade reflects traditional exploitative labor practices.

### The West as Model and Mentor

Yung Wing uses Western technology (Gatling gun) and methods (photographic evidence) to address Chinese issues, showing the West as a model for reform.

## Character check-ins

### Yung Wing

Returns to China to introduce the Gatling gun, confronts the Peruvian Commissioner, and investigates coolie conditions in Peru.

### Li Hung Chang

Viceroy who orders Yung Wing's mission to Peru and uses the photographic evidence to defeat the Peruvian treaty.

### Chin Lan Pin

Instructed by the government to investigate coolie conditions in Cuba, a parallel mission to Yung Wing's.

### Rev. J. H. Twichell

Accompanies Yung Wing on his mission to Peru.

### Dr. E. W. Kellogg

Accompanies Yung Wing on his mission to Peru; later becomes his brother-in-law.

## Key lines

> I wish you to return to Hartford as quickly as possible and make preparations to proceed to Peru at once, to look into the condition of the Chinese coolies there.

Viceroy Li Hung Chang ordered Yung Wing to go to Peru immediately to investigate the treatment of Chinese laborers.

_This marks the beginning of Yung Wing's investigative mission._

> My report was accompanied with two dozen photographs of Chinese coolies, showing how their backs had been lacerated and torn, scarred and disfigured by the lash.

Yung Wing provided photographic evidence of the brutal whipping scars on coolies' backs to support his report.

_The photographs were crucial in proving the inhumanity of the coolie trade._

> Since our reports on the actual conditions of Chinese coolies in Cuba and Peru were made, no more coolies have been allowed to leave China for those countries. The traffic had received its death blow.

The reports by Yung Wing and Chin Lan Pin led to the cessation of coolie emigration to Cuba and Peru, effectively ending the trade.

_This outcome demonstrates the impact of their investigations._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xviii-investigation-of-the-coolie-traffic-in-peru
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters