Chinese Ambassador to Barbados H.E Wang Ke shares a moment with Tyrone Yearwood, who spent seven years in China and spoke of his experience during the workshop.
Get ready for influx
CHINESE Ambassador to Barbados, Her Excellency Wang Ke believes that Barbados is poised to tap into the 100 million visitors who leave China annually when the visa exemption between the two countries comes into effect in the near future.
Her comments came at the Frank Collymore Hall during a Chinese Language and Culture Workshop hosted by the Confucius Institute of the University of the West Indies, held yesterday as part of the third annual Chinese Fish and Dragon Festival.
Commending the growing momentum of Barbadians learning Chinese and the many cultural exchanges between the two countries, she says this would be a selling point for many Chinese to visit our shores.
To this end she encouraged that greater focus be placed on promoting the island and preparing the hotel and hospitality sector for the influx, which she anticipates with the visa-free access.
The ambassador also noted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of bilateral relations between China and Barbados, during which time there has been significant progress in terms of trade, culture and education.
She thanked the Cave Hill campus for organising the workshop and highlighted the significance of the great philosopher and educator Confucius, whom she described as the backbone of Chinese traditional culture.
She said the philosopher advocated harmonious society, that education should be available for all and that each person should be taught according to his or her aptitude. The ambassador said he also advocated that morality should b valued more than profit.
Ambassador Ke commended word that the Caribbean Examinations Council is taking serious consideration into using Chinese as one of the foreign languages in secondary schools. She said that it will lead to the language being taught in a more extensive way, enhancing the teaching and learning of the language in Barbados and the region as a whole.
During the workshop, persons were exposed to basic conversational Chinese, received an introduction to the Chinese New Year and other Chinese myths, legends and historical facts. They were given a first-hand account from Tyrone Yearwood of his seven years in China, as a student, volunteer and a traveller. Co-director of the Confucius Institute Francois Jackman highlighted the benefits that can be derived from the two countries particularly in travel and trade. (JH)