Manila’s Chinatown, dating to 1594, is said to be the world’s oldest Chinatown. It was a neighborhood set aside for Chinese Catholics across the Pasig River from the Intramuros (the fortified part of the city controlled by the Spaniards.) Chinese trade activity in the city pre-dated Spanish colonial rule, but the Spanish facilitated the Chinatown so they could keep an eye on immigrants. Chinatown is locally known as Binondo.