Can I start in China? (5)

I believe the answer is:

amigo

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'china?' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'can i start' is the wordplay.
'can i' becomes 'ami' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'start' becomes 'go' (synonyms).
'ami'+'go'='AMIGO'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for amigo that I've seen before include "Pal from Madrid?" , "friend in Uruguay" , "Male (Spanish?) friend" , "A Spanish pal" , "Hispanic friend" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.

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