Analisa Low, Ambassador of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the People’s Republic of China (Photo by Lu Ningyuan)
Located at the southern end of the Caribbean Sea, Trinidad and Tobago is a country of abundant resources, picturesque landscapes and great cultural diversity. The country’s unique charming music and carnivals for the steel pan have gained worldwide popularity. In November 2021, Analisa Low assumed her post as Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to China. Low said most of our two peoples know little about the deep exchanges between our two countries. As an ethnic Chinese, she expects to work to increase bilateral exchanges during her term.
“In Trinidad and Tobago, Cha Shaobao it’s very popular”
Trinidad and Tobago and China enjoy a time-honored friendship that can be represented by the family stories of Ambassador Analisa Low. Low profile, the two countries had shared a long and meaningful history of human and cultural exchanges before their diplomatic relations were formally established in 1974. In 1806, Chinese immigrants arrived in Trinidad and Tobago for the first time, which which marked the first organized settlement of the Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere. Low’s grandparents moved from Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China to Trinidad and Tobago in the late 1940s. “After coming to Trinidad and Tobago, most Chinese immigrants started businesses for a living while trying to learn English to integrate with the natives.” From shopkeepers, restaurant owners, small vendors to people working in merchandise sales, imports and exports as well as agriculture, Chinese people from all walks of life in the country have been an integral part of the local communities.
Trinidad and Tobago girls dressed in carnival costumes (Photo: Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the People’s Republic of China)
Although far from their homeland, the Chinese community in Trinidad and Tobago has tried to pass on traditional Chinese cultural values and customs to their descendants. The Ambassador said that Chinese culture is deeply embedded in the society and culture of Trinidad and Tobago, which can be seen from the populous Chinatown to its capital, Port of Spain, where the streets are lined with various shops opened by the people. Chinese, the taste of Chinese food is in the air. “In Trinidad and Tobago, Cha Shaobao is very popular and is called ‘pow‘ by the locals and is as welcome as wonton. Also, local Chinese people often gather together to celebrate traditional Chinese holidays such as the Spring Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival.”
These years have seen deepening political mutual trust and continued pragmatic cooperation in many fields between China and Trinidad and Tobago. Low has witnessed many important moments of bilateral relations: In June 2013, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Trinidad and Tobago, which was the first stop on his tour of the American continents since President Xi took office. In May 2018, Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago paid an official visit to China. During the visit, Trinidad and Tobago became the first English-speaking Caribbean country to join the Belt and Road Initiative. “Based on our solid bilateral relations, I will continue to work to strengthen the ties and friendship between our two peoples,” said Low.
Pigeon Point in?Tobago (Photo: Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the People’s Republic of China)
“China’s new development philosophy deserves much praise”
Low had visited China several times before taking up the post as Trinidad and Tobago’s ambassador to China. Among other things, she was very impressed by the development of the infrastructure and the images of the cities. “I have been to Guangdong and Zhejiang (provinces in China) many times and witnessed the rapid development of many cities in China. When I went back to some cities, I couldn’t even remember what they were like a year ago. ” According to Low, many cities in China are interconnected economic centers, where modern airports and hotels are equipped with the most advanced facilities. “It seems that wide roads and modern public transport systems were built overnight.”
Low said that great changes have also taken place in the way of life of the Chinese people. “What surprises me the most is that e-commerce has gained popularity in such a short period of time in China.” Due to the rapid development of the mobile Internet, such smartphone applications as WeChat and Taobao have become people’s necessities, making their work and life more convenient and efficient. Low recalled that on the streets of Shanghai and Guangdong 20 years ago, people had to hail a taxi by waving their hands, and almost all vendors only accepted cash. “But now, people can book a taxi or buy high-speed rail and air tickets through smartphone apps. And customers can easily pay by scanning vendors’ QR codes when shopping.” Low said that she herself “does as the Chinese do” and “after coming to Beijing, I learned how to shop online very quickly”.
The ambassador also said that she is honored to have a front row seat for a closer look at China’s innovative, green and digital development. From her perspective, “China’s new development philosophy deserves much praise and sounds in line with our national vision of strengthening its capacity building for innovative, diversified and sustainable development.”
Foreigners in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, actively participate in locally sponsored folk festivals. Pictured is Abrielle (first from right) from Trinidad and Tobago experiencing a Peking Opera performance at the Talent Family in Jiangbei District, Ningbo. Photo by Zhang Yongtao (People’s Photo)
“Cooperation with China’s e-commerce platforms is in the planning”
Despite the geographical distance between the two countries, China and Trinidad and Tobago enjoy increasingly close cooperation and exchanges. Low said, over the years, many products from Trinidad and Tobago have had their presence in China: asphalt produced in Trinidad and Tobago has helped build many roads, bridges and airport runways of many countries around the world, including ring roads of Beijing. the runways of Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport, as well as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge; Quality rum and other products from Trinidad and Tobago are also appearing on China’s e-commerce platforms, helping to increase options for Chinese consumers.
Low said, as Trinidad and Tobago boasts abundant energy resources and is one of the world’s largest exporters of ammonia, methanol and liquefied natural gas (LNG), there is great potential for our two countries to develop cooperation in energy sector. An important manufacturing and industrial base in the Caribbean region, Trinidad and Tobago also produces world-class rum, chocolate, spices and chili sauce. At last year’s CIIE, many products from Trinidad and Tobago have attracted the attention of Chinese consumers. “We look forward to attending the fifth CIIE this year to showcase our unique goods,” said Low, “Cooperation with Chinese e-commerce platforms is in the planning to provide quality products to Chinese consumers. Manufacturers in Trinidad and Tobago are focus on improving their export capabilities and are ready to exploit the potential of China’s large market and its diverse demands.”
A focal point of bilateral cooperation between China and Trinidad and Tobago over the years, the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate in the central and western part of the island of Trinidad has been under construction since March 2020. Trinidad and Tobago, among other Caribbean countries, received leadership to join the Belt and Road Initiative. The Phoenix Park industrial estate is of great demonstration importance as it is the first project to be implemented in the Caribbean region. “Phoenix Park Industrial Estate, with full 5G mobile network coverage, acts as a key driver for promoting the diversified development of the country’s economy. The project has promoted the development of non-energy sectors such as high-value manufacturing, light industry, industries in development including logistics and warehousing as well as information and communication technology,” Low said. “Phoenix Park’s industrial estate has helped promote the diversified development of our national economy and that means a lot to Trinidad and Tobago.”
