tidings
Sean Douglas
FANG QIU, Chinese Ambassador to TT, launched the Chinese Spring Festival Fair in Carenage on Sunday, saying that millions of Chinese tourists celebrated the festival this year in China, and millions may also visit other countries.
By making the Chinese New Year the Year of the Rabbit, he referred to an old Chinese proverb saying, “Every new year brings new beginnings and new opportunities.”
Fang said 2023 marked the beginning of China’s full implementation of the guiding principles presented at the 20th National Congress of the CPC.
“As China refines its Covid19 policies, during this year’s Spring Festival holiday, the hustle and bustle of crowds has returned to restaurants, hotels and shopping malls across China.
“About 308 million domestic trips were made during the holiday, up 23.1 percent.
Popular tourist destinations around the world are preparing for an increase in Chinese tourists.
With global investors optimistic about China’s economic prospects, he cited a UN forecast of China’s growth accelerating to 4.8 percent in 2023.
Fang was deeply proud of the generations of local Chinese living in harmony with others and contributing to TT’s economic and cultural development.
“This year holds great significance for China-TT relations, as it marks the tenth anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s historic visit to this beautiful twin-island country.
“In 2022, bilateral trade volume exceeded $1.3 billion, an increase of 23.4 percent, year-on-year against the backdrop of a weak world economy.”
Fang said the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate was undergoing smooth construction and investment promotion and would be ready in a few months.
As the first major belt and road project in the Caribbean, he said the park marked the fifth anniversary of the China-TT Belt and Road agreement.
“Upon completion, the asset will inject new impetus into TT’s economic diversification and reinforce its strategic role in the Caribbean region in terms of trade and investment.”
The diplomat welcomed the progress of the two countries in areas such as health, education, art and exchanges between local government bodies.
After President Xi’s visit, four Chinese medical teams came to TT, treating local patients, providing professional training and donating medical equipment and supplies, he said.
“Our cooperation in fighting the Covid19 pandemic has been exemplary. TT was among the first countries to offer China a helping hand.
“In response, China provided TT with more than a dozen medical supplies and was among the first to provide TT with vaccines on a large scale.”
Another outcome of Xi’s visit was the Confucius Institute at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, which has benefited more than 3,000 Chinese language learners.
“And I am pleased to see that the steel pan, the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, has become known to the Chinese people through many wonderful performances by Trinidad and Tobago steel bands on occasions such as the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and Music Fashion Festival in Beijing in 2014.
“Recently, Shanghai and Port of Spain took a big step forward in their twinning as sister cities by signing a letter of intent to establish friendly cooperative relations.
Exchanges and mutual learning have made civilizations richer and more vibrant, Fang said.
“Looking to the future, China is willing to continue working with TT to open a new chapter of beneficial cooperation and expanded friendship, and ultimately build a community with a shared future, so as to provide more tangible benefits to our two peoples. And. I also call on my compatriots and Chinese enterprises to continue to contribute to this end.
“In Chinese culture, the rabbit is the symbol of liveliness, prosperity and vitality. I sincerely wish you all good health and success. May our bilateral relationship take a giant leap forward like a rabbit in the year of the rabbit. I hope you enjoy the piece next of the Temple Fair. Thank you.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Caricom Dr Amery Browne said countless examples of intercultural engagement throughout history have served to bridge gaps and increase understanding between different peoples. “In our local context, we have long since progressed beyond this point – Chinese culture is now an integral part of TT’s culture. One only has to think of Chinese food, a cuisine enjoyed by the people of diverse backgrounds that make up our island nation rainbow, or the newly created city of China that graces our capital.”
Browne welcomed the ongoing initiatives between TT and China, namely the Belt and Road Initiative, the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate project and the to-be-built Forensic Science Centre,
“Undoubtedly, our future together has a sound foundation for development and growth in a multitude of spheres, with countless areas to explore.
“Today, the ability to experience authentic Spring Festival celebrations thousands of miles away from China demonstrates the power of culture as a unifying force between countries.”
He said that TT and China already share a warm and friendly relationship, displaying a broad cooperation agenda, and culture has certainly played an important role in this.
“Events such as the one we will enjoy today also help preserve important aspects of cultural heritage. They bring the entire community together and serve as teachers for its younger members. “As we see today, Chinese culture is not in danger of extinction. here.
“In fact, it is certainly nothing short of impressive that the traditions and values brought by the first Chinese immigrants who came to our shores over two centuries ago remain alive and well today.”
