By Robert Andre Emmanuel
As government officials, diplomats, political figures all gathered at the embassy of The People’s Republic of China, Antigua and Barbuda underscored the growing diplomatic bond and economic collaboration between the two nations.
China officially celebrated its 75th National Day on October 1, commemorating its founding by Mao Zedong in 1949.
Chinese Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, Zhang Yanling opened the ceremony, highlighting China’s transformation over the past 75 years.
She stated, “The Chinese nation has achieved remarkable development from being independent, to being prosperous and to being strong, and [it] opened a spectacular chapter of Chinese modernization.”
The Ambassador noted recent developments in bilateral relations, including progress on various infrastructure projects.
She also emphasized that “China stands ready to work with all parties to actively implement the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS, fully support small island developing states in their efforts to move toward resilient prosperity, and to jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity.”
The ceremony featured several performances, including “Butterfly Lovers” and “There’s No Place Like Home” by the Antigua Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra (ABYSO), and a Qipao show titled “Boundless” performed by Bi Huifang, Chen Fujuan, Peng Chune, and Charmaine Morgan.
Foreign Affairs Minister E P Chet Greene remarked that China has, over the years, become well-placed to help Antigua and Barbuda and other small islands emulate its success.
“China has become a growing influence on global economies—both developed and developing nations in trade and investment– China has been well placed to help the world to deal with issues of rapid aging, building cost effective health systems, and promoting a low carbon energy economy,” he said.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s support for the One-China principle and praised China’s contributions to Antigua and Barbuda’s development, stating: “If you subtract the contributions of China from our development for the last two decades, our economy would have been significantly smaller, and our people would have been significantly poorer.”
He pointed to the VC Bird International Airport, and the Booby Alley development project which he said the latter would have its groundbreaking “within the next 30 days”.
Students from Wonton A Words performed the song “Nihao, Nihao”, while students from Sir Novelle Richards Academy presented a dance to “Jasmine Flowers”.
The celebration not only marked China’s 75th National Day, but also highlighted the strong diplomatic ties between China and Antigua and Barbuda, which were established in 1983.
Governor General Sir Rodney Williams spoke to the 41-year diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
“This alignment in our diplomatic values has only strengthened the ties between our two countries, allowing our collaboration to deepen and produce tangible benefits for both nations.
He emphasized, “China’s modernisation over recent decades has not only transformed its own society but has brought immense benefits to Antigua and Barbuda…landmark projects such as the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center, the St John’s Deep Water Harbour Redevelopment, and the VC Bird International Airport stands as enduring symbols of China’s commitment to national development”.
The event concluded with musical performances, including “My Chinese Heart”, an instrumental ensemble by Khan Cordice, Liang Yuzhi, and Ye Zuyi, followed by a solo steel pan performance by the aforementioned, Khan Cordice.
