by Linda Straker
Grenada will be having a new Chinese ambassador. The tour of duty has ended for current Ambassador Ou Boqian who is scheduled to depart the island within 3 weeks. Disclosure of her pending departure was announced by her yesterday, while delivering remarks at the start of the 3rd Chinese Bridge Proficiency competition.
The competition engages TAMCC students in Chinese studies, and involves talent and speech in Chinese. The winner goes to China to participate in the international competition.
Ambassador Ou took her duties within weeks of the ruling New National Party winning the February 2013 General Election. Her first public duty was officially cutting the ribbon to commence the US$5 million St Mark Flood Mitigation Project. During her tenure, Ambassador Ou ensured the realisation of many other projects including rebuilding the Kirani James Athletic Stadium, and the finalising of the Mt Rush and Dunfermline housing projects.
She will be remembered for facilitating the participation of Grenadian professionals in the most number of short term professional development courses, as well as students attaining scholarships to pursue university studies.
Despite her achievement, she feels most happy to have created a healthy working relationship with TAMCC, and the role she played to ensure that the Chinese language and culture has now become an integral part of the College’s curriculum.
“The Confucius Room, we brought it from nothing and it is growing from strength to strength. This has really made me happy,” she said. Expressing her desire to continue serving in Grenada, “Oh how I wish I can stay here beyond my time,” she told the audience as spoke about her disappointment of not being able to convert the Confucius Room into a full-fledged institute within the College. “These four years will always be remembered forever. I feel part of TAMCC, but, this is the life of the diplomat,” she said.
Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to host a farewell celebration to honour the ambassador. Both countries re-established diplomatic ties in 2005 after Grenada severed ties with Taiwan.
Photo: Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Grenada
