the Ballroom of the  China World Summit Hotel in Beijing, China last Saturday night. Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and the Commercial Development Office of Haiti participated in this memorable event. The official part of the event started with a speech that was given by the chairman of the Caribbean Caucus of Embassies in Beijing, Ambassador Arthur Williams from Jamaica. Ambassador Williams spoke about the previous Caribbean Days of the past three years as they brought together the Caribbean community, friends and invites in Peking for friendship, culture, music and delicious food. Those Caribbean Days eventually amplified the need to upgrade this day to a gala where the Caribbean experience could receive an extra dimension of elegance and style. Ambassador Williams expressed his wish to give this event that is filled with glitter and glamour a permanent spot on the diplomatic calendar.

Zhao Yan, vice president of the IBI International Group Co. Ltd. and CEO of Boododo (BDD), welcomed the attendees and indicated that he hoped that the event would contribute to closer collaboration between strategic partners and the Caribbean region.

The ‘Caribbean Ball - The Caribbean Experience’ was a marvelous show filled with dance and music from artists from all of the participating countries, meetings between old and new friends and also of tasty food. Suriname’s ambassador to China, Vanessa Tsin-Jie Li, officials from the embassy and Surinamese nationals who are currently studying in China also attended the event. The attendees got the opportunity to get acquainted with paratha roti, dhal with coconut milk and moksi-alesi. They were also given the opportunity to win special prizes such vouchers, smartwatches, earphones and a tablet during lottery draws that took place throughout the night. Ambassador Tsin-Jie Li who officially took over the chairmanship of the Caribbean Caucus of Embassies in Beijing from her Jamaican counterpart for the next six months emphasized that Suriname would seize the opportunity created by this event to step into the spotlight. At least Saturday’s event there were many opportunities for collaboration and according to Ambassador Tsin-Jie Li Chinese companies who focus on infrastructure, gold mining and energy have already indicated that they are interested in Suriname.

Ambassador Tsin-Jie Li pointed out that the first edition of ‘Caribbean Ball - The Caribbean Experience’ was a big success. “This night would not have been possible without the support of the sponsors and the efforts made by the coworkers from the participating embassies”, said Ambassador Li.