Increasing awareness, deepening relations

Head of the Association for Barbados-China Friendship (ABCF) Dr DeLisle Worrell wants Barbadians to take a greater interest in learning more about China. As such, the association will be seeking to promote the Chinese culture through a new publication.

Making the announcement this week, Worrell, who is the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank, argued that Barbadians were au fait with the culture of the world’s largest economy, the United States, but it was about time more was known about the second largest economy.

“Already, we have become accustomed to the fact that the majority of consumption items we buy are made in China. We know our most important friend, the USA, very well. Most of us have been there, everyone has friends and relatives there, we watch American TV channels and we participate in American social media forums,” said Worrell.

“In contrast, we hardly know China at all. What is more, what we think we know comes to us through the filter of American or English media. This is a situation Barbadians need to address. We need to get to know China intimately, and who better to inform us than the Chinese themselves,” he said.

A group of Barbadians have come together to form the Association for Barbados-China Friendship, ABCF, to promote knowledge and understanding of China and the Chinese.

The association will shortly publish the first issue of an annual magazine, Exchanges. The magazine contains articles on Barbadian experiences in China, and Chinese experiences in Barbados. It highlights Rihanna’s contribution to the career of a Chinese designer, explains the increasingly popular One Belt One Road Initiative, and will present articles on Chinese medicine, food and more.

The magazine also introduces the China Global Television Network, CGTN. This network includes a 24-hour English language channel, with news and features.

“The ABCF is developing its own website with information for travellers, business persons, students and everyone with an interest in China. We also aim to facilitate travel to China,” said Worrell.

The association will be officially launched at a gala cocktail party at the Barbados Hilton Hotel on May 23. (PR)