Article Entitled 'Among the Isles, Into the New Year Together' by Chinese Ambassador to Dominica Chu Maoming Published

On February 20, an artile titled Among the Isles, Into the New Year Together by H.E. Chu Maoming, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Commonwealth of Dominica was published in the Dominica's mainstream newspaper The Chronicle.

The New Year has arrived, and with it, a fresh beginning for all. This week, Chinese people everywhere are coming together to celebrate our most important holiday: the Spring Festival. So allow me begin by wishing all my readers a very happy Chinese New Year. May the Year of the Horse bring you strength, grace, and all the good fortune your heart can hold.

By a happy coincidence, while streets across China glow with lanterns and festivity, cities in Dominica are equally alive with excitement. The annual Carnival parade has opened in full splendor: thousands of revelers in brilliant costumes dance through the streets to infectious rhythms. Amid the dazzling floats, one group particularly caught my eye-a distinctive Chinese contingent. Members of the Chinese community in Dominica drove beautifully decorated floats through the city, exchanging high-fives, posing for photos, and sharing warm greetings with local residents, adding a vibrant touch of Chinese color to the passionate, kaleidoscopic culture of the Caribbean.

That bright splash of red in the festive crowd is a vivid snapshot of Chinese culture reaching far beyond its shores. In recent years, a gentle yet unmistakable "China chic" has been quietly sweeping the globe. It is no longer confined to Hanfu or Kung Fu. Instead, it has found its way into the subtle rituals of daily life. Lifestyle bloggers in western countries are earnestly discussing the health philosophy behind "drinking hot water," and Chinese-style glass thermos cups have become a staple on office desks. Traditional Chinese cotton slippers-now upgraded with delicate embroidery-are gaining popularity worldwide, hailed by international designers as icons of comfort-driven aesthetics. And the classic scene of goji berries steeping in a thermos has been playfully dubbed by young people as an "Eastern elixir against Western anxiety," sparking countless imitations on social media. What began as lighthearted humor-"Starting tomorrow, you're becoming Chinese"-has evolved into something deeper: a global reexamination of wellness and slower living. The West is increasingly drawn to the Eastern wisdom of preventive care and the quiet ritual embedded in everyday life. Ordinary Chinese habits have taken on new philosophical and fashionable meaning. In a fast-paced modern world, people are discovering that sometimes, the simplest routines offer the most enduring comfort.

China's emphasis on balance and long-term well-being shapes not only daily habits like drinking hot water or steeping goji berries, but also a broader national outlook-one that values foresight, harmony, and holistic growth. In international relations, this translates into respect for each country's chosen path of development and a commitment to mutual benefit. We understand that true health is not achieved through quick fixes, but through strengthening the whole system. Likewise, genuine friendship and sustainable development are not built on one-sided, short-term gestures, but on shared capacity-building and lasting ecosystems.

For this reason, China's international cooperation places particular emphasis on empowerment and sustained impact. Over the 21 years since diplomatic ties were established between China and Dominica, landmark projects such as the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital, the Windsor Park Stadium, and post-hurricane reconstructed schools stand as visible symbols of our partnership. Yet what truly defines the depth of our friendship is another form of investment, one less visible but more enduring.

Chinese agricultural experts have worked on this fertile island for more than a decade, introducing crop varieties suited to local conditions, strengthening value chains, and training hundreds of local farmers to become skilled agricultural technicians. Successive medical teams have not only donated advanced equipment, but also shared their expertise without reservation, breaking down every surgical technique into teachable steps, filling critical gaps, and ensuring that the benefits of cooperation continue to grow. Each year, the Chinese Government Scholarship sends a dozen of Dominican students to China and opens wider horizons for young talents. When return home, they carry professional knowledge in their hands, cross-cultural understanding in their eyes, and the warmth of friendship in their hearts.

In our cooperation, we are also guided by the principle of harmony, a philosophy that resonates deeply with the Caribbean culture of openness and inclusiveness. We do not subscribe to a "savior" mentality, nor do we believe in zero-sum games. We are convinced that only the people of a country can determine whether a development path suits their own needs. Fully aware of the diversity of national circumstances and the uniqueness of each country's journey, China remains committed to respecting the will of its partners, attaching no political conditions to its assistance, and never using cooperation as leverage. What China seeks to be is a respectful companion who works alongside Dominica, the Caribbean, and countries around the world toward sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

In the year ahead, I sincerely hope that our friendship and development will continue just like the gentle warmth of a thermos, which is steady, nourishing, and enduring. China stands ready to work with Dominica to transform our shared aspirations for sustainable development into stronger momentum for cooperation. Our agricultural collaboration will focus ever more on working in harmony with local soil and climate, laying ever firmer foundations for harvest. Our medical partnership will further strengthen essential capacities, weaving an ever-denser network of health protection. True partnership, like goji berries steeped in warm water, gathers strength quietly and shines brighter with time.

Like two steeds harnessed side by side, true strength lies in shared direction and coordinated steps. As the Year of the Horse begins, we look forward to moving forward shoulder to shoulder with the friendly government and people of Dominica, carrying the spirited vigor of the horse, blazing a path of mutual benefit and people-to-people connection. May the tree of China-Dominica friendship grow ever deeper roots, fuller branches, and more abundant fruit.

Once again, please accept my heartfelt wishes for a joyful and prosperous New Year.