As China ushered in the new year many around the world joined in the celebration in welcoming the Year of the Horse.
The Saint Lucia-China Friendship Association (SLCFA) last Sunday, led by its President Earl Bousquet, gathered at the former Chinese Embassy to commemorate the occasion alongside local friends, Chinese national residing here and the rest of two billion marking the start of their new year.
Among those gathered were Mr. Popo-Huang and his wife Ziyi Mo and their young daughter who sailed on their refurbished monohull from the far east to eventually land in St. Lucia. The Chinese family sent sail from Singapore, through the Indian Ocean, past the Maldives and Seychelles to the African continent. From Tanzania, they sailed to Cape Town, across the Atlantic Ocean to their first Caribbean stop, Grenada. They are expected to spend a few weeks here planning and setting the course for the next journey which will ultimately conclude in Singapore or China.
The Horse, for China and other parts of Asia, is a symbol of Bravery, Energy, Freedom, Loyalty, Perseverance, Speed and Strength, much of which were spoken about on the day.
The recent developments in Venezuela and subsequently Cuba formed part of the conversation. While China’s official representative in St. Lucia Mr. Stanley Hu spoke on the issues, it was Dr. Kenny Anthony who drove home the point that Caribbean countries should be cognizant and appreciative of the relationship with friends like China, Venezuela and Cuba. Dr. Anthony explained that much of what we enjoy in St. Lucia came because of the hand of friendship extended by one of these countries. “Just as we live ordinary lives and we know how to tell each other thank you and respect what we do for each other, then it’s also the way we expect countries to behave. It saddens me in this environment that has emerged that I do not see the Caribbean people being given advice where Cuba in concerned. I have not heard a collective thank you to Cuba.” Dr. Anthony was adamant that China had a heavy load to carry in respect of the stabilization of the future and that Venezuela, like Cuba, was owed a great debt of gratitude.
Also at the event were the ambassadors of Venezuela and Cuba.