A comprador is a native-born individual who manages European interests in China. The term originated from an indigenous servant in a European household in southern China and evolved to refer to a native Chinese working for a European trading company. Compradors often became wealthy entrepreneurs and started their own businesses. During the mid-1900s, the term “comprador bourgeoisie” was used to define individuals of the merchant class who were compliant and sympathetic to foreign economic interests. Today, compradors are native managers of foreign companies’ East Asian offices and oversee all aspects of Chinese personnel.
A comprador is a broker or intermediary. It comes from the Latin comparare which means “to procure” and in Portuguese means “buyer”. Today, the word is used in international affairs, primarily in East Asia, to describe a native-born individual who manages European interests in China.
The term “comprador” was first used to describe an indigenous servant in a European household in southern China. The comprador’s main job was to go to the market to barter his employer’s goods for the necessary goods. As Europeans began developing industry and opening financial institutions, the title evolved to refer to a native Chinese working for a European trading company. This employee was responsible for supervising the Chinese personnel of guards, currency experts, interpreters and other necessary services. The comprador position was highly coveted and open only to individuals with a great deal of education.
Due to the managerial nature of the position, compradors often became wealthy entrepreneurs and started their own businesses and businesses. One such man was Tong King-sing, who worked for the Jardine Matheson Company in the mid-1800s as a salesman. Drawing on his knowledge and experience, in 1862 he published a six-volume manual entitled “The Chinese Teacher”. Another notable comprador was Zhang Jiaao, who helped revolutionize China’s banking sector in the 1920s. He later published books on railroad development and became a researcher at Stanford University.
With the rise of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and nationalist socialism in the mid-1900s, the term “comprador bourgeoisie” was used to define individuals of the merchant class who were compliant and sympathetic to foreign economic interests. This was in contrast to the “national bourgeoisie”, who were also members of the merchant class, but worked to build and strengthen the national economy. Many of the people who worked as compradors during this period fled China, worked in secret, or were imprisoned by the Red Guard.
When international business and trade revived in China in the 1980s and 1990s, the compradors also returned. Today, they are native managers of foreign companies’ East Asian offices and oversee all aspects of Chinese personnel. The term is now used around the world as companies expand their business interests. Bilingualism, understanding of culture and managerial skills are key components to the position in this global environment. Placements are found in a wide variety of industries, including banking, mining and manufacturing, and in countries such as Brazil, India and Mexico.
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