by Curlan Campbell
- Spring Festival or Chinese New Year marks arrival of spring
- Ambassador Wei announced that 14 cooperation documents were signed
- PM cited China’s success as an example of how transformative change, hard work, and national pride can lift millions out of poverty
The dawn of a new calendar year for the People’s Republic of China also coincides with a celebration in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Grenada.
The Chinese Lunar New Year or Spring Festival is the most popular traditional festival in China, and, as Wei Hongtian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Grenada explained, is “a time for family reunion, sharing of joy and happiness and pray for good luck and fortune.” In November 2024, the festival was listed in the World Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, and this year, the Year of the Snake, will be celebrated from 28 January to 4 February.
The occasion was marked by a stellar reception and cultural performance from the Art Troupe from Ningbo city, Zhejiang province, at Radisson Grenada Beach Resort as part of their “Happy Chinese New Year” tour. A festive dragon dance launched the performance, followed by a graceful dance that showcased Ningbo’s breathtaking scenery.
The audience was enthralled by a captivating programme featuring magic tricks, suona music, martial arts, and face-changing. However, it was the spectacular closing performance, “Oriental Splendor,” which fused traditional and modern styles, highlighting China’s rich cultural heritage that truly brought the curtains down on Friday, 24 January 2025. Governor-General Dame Cécile La Grenade, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, and several of his cabinet colleagues and members of the Opposition, and a significant number of Chinese nationals, residents of Grenada and China, attended the ceremony.
Prime Minister Mitchell recently wrapped up a visit to China where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji. During his address, Mitchell stated that Grenada and China have fostered a bilateral relationship based on mutual respect, solidarity, and non-intervention, which has flourished over the past 20 years.
He restated Grenada’s support towards China’s One China policy, boasting of signing 14 bilateral agreements to deepen cooperation in various sectors. Mitchell also emphasised the importance of planting new seeds for future generations, referencing President Xi’s call for a new blueprint for cooperation. He said Grenada aims to leverage its marine resources and explore opportunities in education, language exchange, and renewable energy, with a focus on mutual benefits and sustainable development. He also stressed the need to respect each other’s independence and sovereignty and to continuously refine and improve economic, social, and political models to suit their respective cultures and citizens’ needs.
He also cited China’s success as an example of how transformative change, hard work, and national pride can lift millions out of poverty. “So we have to continuously examine change, refine and improve our economic, social and political model to suit our realities. China is a perfect example of that, and the success that it has brought. We in Grenada can learn from also examining, re-examing, improving and changing our socio-economic models, not because it was given to us and not because it has always been done that with means we need to continue doing that.”
The prime minister added that this can only be achieved in Grenada when, as a nation, we are not afraid of having difficult conversations. “If we wish to truly transform if we wish to truly achieve a lot of objectives set up in Vision 75, it will require change. It will require hard conversations. It will require difficult conversations and difficult decisions. China’s example is a clear demonstration that if a country is honest with itself and be honest with its citizens, the right culture, right values and the right investment is made in education, in hard work and in national pride, you can transform millions of people out of poverty.”
Ambassador Wei mentioned several agreements and opportunities for cross-cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the 2 sovereign nations. “Over the 2 decades, more than 2,500 Grenadians from various sectors have participated in short-term training programmes in China, while about 250 Grenadian students were granted full governmental scholarships to further their studies in Chinese universities.”
He expressed pride in announcing that 14 cooperation documents were signed, focusing on areas such as economic and technical cooperation, trade, agriculture, green development, the blue economy, culture, local exchanges, media, and information. These agreements, he said, will provide new momentum for our practical cooperation and bring greater benefits to our people. “At the dawn of the next 20 years of China–Grenada relations, let us reaffirm our commitment to further strengthening the ties between our 2 countries.”
At the conclusion of his remarks, the ambassador toasted the friendship between the peoples of China and Grenada, an even brighter future for China–Grenada relations, the development of Grenada and the well-being of its people, and for health and good luck for all in the Year of the Snake.
We await sight of these 14 MOUs with interest.
Kick the Chinese out..
Now would be a good time.