Former diplomat pens Memories of China

Dr Chelston Brathwaite was Barbados’ Ambassador to China for four years and has shared his experiences in a book that offers an essential view of the current reality of the Asian giant and its social, economic and political impact on the 21st century world, as seen through the eyes of the Caribbean region.

The attractive personal account, as Caribbean as it is universal, assists in understanding the transformation and modernization of a country that over just a few decades became the number two economy in the world.

In his book, Brathwaite, who was Barbados’ representative to China between 2014 and 2017, attempts to dispel the myths and misunderstandings that abound about China in the western world.

As such, the decision to write and publish Memories of China was based on the belief that the opportunity to live for four years in the most populous country in the world was a privilege that not many people receive and that the fascinating experiences lived and lessons learned should be shared.

One of the reasons that inspired the author to write the book was the realisation that his countrymen who visited China for short periods would admit that they were leaving with a completely different view of the Asian country than the one they had upon their arrival.

Prior to being the second resident Barbadian Ambassador to China, Brathwaite was Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) between 2002 and 2010.

On ending his term at the helm of the organisation, he was named Director General Emeritus by delegates from 33 countries in the Americas, due to his contribution to agriculture and the improvement of rural life in the hemisphere.

“My stay in China”, explained Brathwaite, “did not just teach me about China. I also learned that we in Barbados, and probably in the Caribbean, are at the start of a long journey – a journey to understand the world of the 21st century.

“This is a world that is increasingly diverse and complex, in which development and modernisation are not confined to North America and Western Europe but are taking place in many nations of the developing world.

A world in which Asian countries, led by China, are becoming substantial players in the economy, politics and affairs at the international level.”

Brathwaite does not adopt any ideological position in his book, nor does he assess the advantages or disadvantages of different government systems; he relates what he saw, heard and read during his experience in China.

His extraordinary experience is shared in a text where he pours out his own thoughts about what he observed, while also leaving the readers room for interpretation.

He relates visits to different regions in China—including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tianjin, Fuzhou, Xi’an and Suzhou — providing a snapshot of the history and culture of the country.

The author recalls his attendance at a traditional wedding, his meeting with President Xi Jinping, and visits to Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China and the famous archaeological site, the Terracotta Warriors.

Brathwaite stresses the need to understand the recent economic, social and political process of China.

“In this challenging world of the 21st century”, he maintains, “the success of China in building a ‘moderately prosperous’ society for its people and in lifting millions of people out of poverty over the last 35 years has become a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration”. (IICA)