By Sue-Ann Wayow
WITH a new year comes new opportunities and China and Trinidad and Tobago will be looking to strengthen the partnership between the two nations.
On New Year’s Day, Trinidad and Tobago’s Ambassador to China Analisa Low spoke at a New Year’s Day lunch hosted by Fu Toong On Association, the first held in three years since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event was held at Gulf City Mall auditorium in San Fernando.
Low who has been at Beijing for just over a year said she can attest to the strong bilateral relations between the two countries and the “rich and meaningful people-to-people exchanges and deep friendship that we share.”
Giving a bit of history of the relationship with China, Low said Trinidad and Tobago was the first country in the Latin American and Caribbean region to welcome Chinese immigrants to its shores over 216 years ago, many from the Guangdong province.
She said, “The tremendous impact and influence of the local Chinese community cannot be understated, which are evident in their stellar contributions to politics, business, science, culture and the arts.”
Low thanked the Association for their commitment towards building on the friendship with the land in the Far East whose support and cooperation was instrumental in some of the key projects and work being done at the Embassy in Beijing.
“We look forward to 2023 with anticipation, for more opportunities geared towards strengthening the partnership between Trinidad and Tobago and China. My efforts will continue to be focused on building bridges between our respective governments, our people, our industries and working together as partners in the common cause of development,” she said.
President of the Fu Toong On Association Joe Chan welcomed the members out to the lunch as the Chinese celebrate the Year of the Rabbit.
He urged members to continue supporting the work of the organisation that is also involved in several charitable efforts.
Children and the elderly were gifted with red envelopes and several door prizes were given out courtesy the various sponsors.
