Chef, Xiangguang Fan putting the finishes touches on the rooster he carved for the Chinese Cultural Night Reception. This year, 2017 is celebrated as the year of the rooster.
Ambassador of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Barbados, Wang Ke (left) in conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Senator, Maxine McClean.
The best in Chinese culture was on display Friday evening during the Chinese Cultural Night Reception.
Held at the Chinese Embassy, this event was a prelude to the third annual Fish and Dragon Festival, which occurred yesterday at the Church Village Greens. The reception and the festival were both held in celebration of the 2017 Chinese New Year.
Among the guests in attendance at Friday’s reception were Minister for Energy, Immigration, Telecommunications and Invest Barbados, Senator Darcy Boyce; Central Bank Governor, Dr. Delisle Worrell; Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Senator Maxine McClean; U.S.A Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS, Linda Taglialatela; and Canadian High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Marie Legault.
Ambassador of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Barbados, Wang Ke in her remarks explained the significance of the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival. She also stated some of the traditions and activities that occur in her homeland at that time.
The Ambassador additionally used the occasion to share that “2017 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Barbados which brings new opportunity to our bilateral collaborations”.
Similarly, speaking about the bilateral relations between Barbados and China, Senator McClean said that especially within recent years it has “been very dynamic and engaging” and “very vibrant”. She highlighted areas in which the two countries have collaborated. These included in education, health, socio-culture and security.
Meanwhile, Dr. Worrell in his remarks said Barbados is “intent on deepening our mutual understanding, learning more about China and providing opportunities for China to get to know us better”.(MG)