Barbados and China are set to enter a new stage of development.
This was revealed by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Barbados Yan Xiusheng at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus 3Ws Pavilion.
He was speaking at the 8th Anniversary of the Confucius Institute located at the Cave Hill Campus, which featured Table Tennis matches and exhibition games.
“It’s also important here, the relations between China and Barbados to enter a new stage of development. The Confucius Institute is the bridge between our two peoples, has also made significant contributions to promoting understanding and friendship between the people of China and Barbados,” the ambassador said.
“Today’s table tennis match at the Barbados Confucius Institute aims to enhance friendship between our two people through sports exchanges. Last year in early September, we celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Barbados/ China relations and the Institute organised a series of Presentations. Some included tales of the teaching of the Chinese language and culture in Barbados and the TCM, traditional Chinese magazine, presentation and demonstration. Today we gather here to celebrate our close ties between our two countries in terms of culture and sports, where we get to witness the outstanding skills and tenacious spirit of Chinese and Barbados athletes in this match.”
Barbados has their second Table Tennis Coach from China — Wu Chong — after the first one came in 1979 and spent a year sharing his knowledge and teaching the sport to others. In a video presentation the first Chinese coach to Barbados, who turned 90 last year, said he was thrilled to have spent 365 days in Barbados teaching the sport.
China has helped Barbados in the sporting arena before, such as the building and renovating of the Gymnasium, and in more recent times they have signed on to redevelop the Barbados National Stadium.
The matches on the evening ranged from Beginners to Intermediate, to Advanced/doubles and culminated with an exhibition match between China’s coach and one of Barbados coaches.
Those looking on included the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Prof Federick Ochieng-Odhiambo; Senator Dr Chelston Brathwaite, Barbados former ambassador to China; Phillip St Hill, Barbados ambassador to Cuba; Brazil’s chef de mission Carlos Kessel; Barbados Table Tennis Association president Marguerita Felix; and players and coaches. (CG)
