In Photos: For Some Chinese Migrants, Few Options in Xi’s China

Migrants are about to leave boats from the Darien jungle to the shore of the Chucunaque River in in Lajas Blancas, Darien Province, Panama, on Feb. 24, 2024. The boat trip costs $25.

A Chinese migrant who gave his name solely as Cong speaks with VOA Mandarin's Calla Yu about his experience in the jungle and why he decided to leave China, in Lajas Blancas, Darien Province, Panama, on Feb. 24, 2024.

Chinese migrants leave boats that brought them to Lajas Blancas, Darien Province, Panama, on Feb. 23, 2024.

Chinese migrants on a boat wave at the camera on Feb. 24, 2024. Most had just spent a few days trekking through Panama's Darien rain forest area.

Migrants wait in line for free lunch of pasta with meat sauce offered by the Panama government on Feb. 24, 2024, at a migrant reception center at Lajas Blancas, Darien Province, Panama.

A sign outside a convenience store in Lajas Blancas, Darien Province, Panama, on Feb. 24, 2024, says, “Chinese convenience store, money exchange with WeChat Pay or Zhifubao."