Right before us stands the Statue of Jorge Álvares. He was the first Portuguese explorer to reach China by sea in 1513. Álvares’s story is one of adventure and cultural exchange. It marks the beginning of relations between the East and the West.
Jorge Álvares’s statue is more than just a monument. It represents a pivotal moment in history. In academic circles Álvares is widely studied. He contributed to the start of relationships between the East and West. However the local Chinese community knows little about him. Besides this statue and brief mentions in history books.
The statue itself is a work of art by Portuguese sculptor Euclides Vaz. It once stood at the intersection of Avenida Dr. Mário Soares and Avenida da Praia Grande. The statue features a replica of a padrão. It is a stone column declaring land for the King of Portugal. Álvares’s right arm points towards Lintin Island. This is where he first landed in China.
Unveiled on September 16 1954 the Statue of Jorge Álvares has an interesting story. On December 3 1966 during the 1-2-3 incidents. Pro-communist residents protested against the Macau government. Young protestors attacked and damaged the statue. After public order was restored the Statue of Jorge Álvares was repaired. It was moved slightly to its current location on Avenida da Praia Grande.
Jorge Álvares was an officer who accompanied Afonso de Albuquerque to Malacca in 1511. He gained the trust of senior officers. Albuquerque chose him to represent Portugal in China. Álvares was known for his friendly personality. He was also good at dealing with Chinese merchants. With his son Duarte Coelho as scribe he set sail for China.
China was important for Portuguese trade routes. Asian commerce was very profitable. Álvares needed to learn about trade and China’s military potential. He was also interested in the people’s appearance and political structure. He also studied their religion and geography. Álvares’s ship carried spices silks and porcelain. These goods were for trade or to pay tribute to the king. He reached Lintin Island in the Pearl River Delta.
The relations between the Portuguese and Chinese were friendly. They focused on trade. However China’s Ming Dynasty had a strict isolationist policy. They used a tribute system to manage foreigners. Portugal was not on the tribute list. This caused some suspicion when Álvares landed.
Historian Wu Zhiliang does not consider Álvares a precursor to colonialism. The concept did not exist then. The Chinese viewed the Portuguese arrival with surprise. They had not known of such a strong nation. It was their first encounter with Westerners having large noses and blue eyes.
Jorge Álvares left Lintin with valuable goods. He opened the door for other Westerners. He returned to China several times. In 1517 he sailed with Fernão Peres de Andrade to Guangzhou. He accompanied Tomé Pires the first Portuguese envoy to China. Álvares aimed to establish official trade relations.
On his last trip to Lintin Jorge Álvares died. He was buried near the padrão he had erected years earlier. Today the Statue of Jorge Álvares stands as a reminder. It marks the beginning of cultural and commercial exchange. It reminds us of a time when East met West. It embodies both opportunity and challenges.
The Statue of Jorge Álvares is now a neutral figure. It is a landmark in Macau. But its history is intertwined with the city’s own. It stands as a silent witness to centuries of interaction. It shows the enduring connection between Portugal and China.