Among the streets of Kuching Old Bazaar, China Street is also called as ‘Middle Street’ (中街). The reason is not truly known. “Central Street” is most likely referred to the center position it occupies at Old Bazaar. As for “China Street” (中国街) it is often linked to Cantonese pioneer, Lau Chek (刘直). Lau Chek is officially recognised by the government as the first Chinese to have arrived in Sarawak. He and his village mates were already actively conducting trading and farming activities at Satok area in the 1820s. According to a photocopy of the land lease issued by the Brooke government to Lau Chek in 1866, Lau Chek operated a “Ju Long Zhi Ji” shop at present China Street. The appearance of the name “China Street” and how the name derived from require further study.
中国街
老巴刹的街道巷弄中，中国街也叫中街，其掌故较为模糊。“中街”所指，或许因为这条街道正好位在老巴刹正中；至于“中国街”，根据推测或许和广府人刘直有关。刘直是目前官方所认定，最早抵达砂拉越的华人，他和同伴在1820年代已经在砂督地区活动。根据一份拉者政府于1866年发给刘直的地契影印本，可以得知刘直曾经在中国街开设“聚隆直记”商号。“中国街”一名究竟何时出现，上述推测是否成立，仍有待进一步考究。
