From September 1-14, 2007, the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) had a unique opportunity to be hosted by the Chinese Government and China Central Television (CCTV) as they traveled to China on a fact-finding mission to document the relations between China and the Caribbean and Africa.The "Project China" team - Nsombi Jaja, Dr. Claire Nelson, Rosie "Peppy" Parke, and Roan Ross were constantly awed as they became educated and informed about the Chinese lifestyle, language, and culture. It was fascinating to meet and interview Caribbean and African nationals and document their experiences living in the largest and most populous country.
For two weeks, CCTV tour guides Gu Liuqi and Liu Wei escorted the team around two of China's busiest cities - Beijing and Shanghai where the group met with and interviewed ambassadors, government officials, professors, students, and professionals. On off days, the group got the chance to enjoy the beauty of the country and visited The Great Wall, Bei Hei Park, Tiananmen Square, Wang Fu Jing, The Temple of Heavens, Shanghai Arts and Crafts Market, and a tea village!
Six Caribbean countries have 
embassies in China: Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, and Suriname. During the two week visit, the team was able to visit with Ambassador Wayne McCook, Jamaica's Ambassador to China and Cecil Pollydore, Guyana's Charge D'Affaires to China, and gather information on the diplomatic relationship between China and these two countries. Both Jamaica and Guyana's diplomatic relationships with China span over 30 years and the Caribbean is benefiting from a $142 billion investment by China with over 18,000 active projects from the Caribbean in China. China's export to Jamaica alone is $180,000 million and Jamaica's main export to China is aluminium. 
Ethiopian Ambassador Extraordinaire to China, Haile-Kiros Gessesse provided the group with valuable information on diplomatic and trading relations with China for over 37 years. A number of students from Ethiopia and other African countries are attending colleges in China on scholarship and China has promised to train 15,000 Ethiopian students in 3 years and have a medical team in Ethiopia training nationals in various sectors. The Chinese has donated a beautiful awe-inspiring Africa Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa which costs $150,000,000 with a completion date of 2010. Of course, Ethiopia is also making good of their relationship with China, and with a country whose mainstream economy consists of 85% agriculture, Ethiopian Airlines flies to China 14 times per week and the Ethiopians export coffee beans, leather, and other unique and much needed products to China.
While in China, the team was privileged to visit a number of Universities and educational institutes including Shanghai's #1 and China's #4 ranked, Fudan University. Tongji University, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Second Language University, and Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences were also toured and one of the amazing things the group learned is that it is very easy for a Caribbean or African student to quality for a full scholarship to one of China's Universities. Students will receive a round trip ticket from their home country, live rent-free, and receive a stipend ranging from $800-$1200 RPM per month depending on the course of study.
The Caribbean and African students in China, though few, are making great strides and the team met with and interviewed students from Jamaica, Cuba, Bahamas, Dominica, Sudan, Niger, Kenya, Benin, and Liberia. Like most educational institutions, a University education in China is challenging but with the daunting task of learning the Chinese language, the students have their work cut out for them as learning the Chinese language is no easy task and it not rare to find persons who speak the language but are unable to write it. 
One particular group that is making headway and putting the Caribbean stamp in China is the Caribbean Association of China (CAC) led by Jamaican, Dr. Nicoleen Johnson. The group was formed less than a year ago and already has 13 members who are professionals dedicated to creating a Caribbean presence and making a significant difference in China. Speaking with these professionals who for the most part received some part of their education in China, there is no doubt that China will never be the same after the CAC spreads their wings even wider.
The group had the opportunity to visit other interesting spots such as 
The Together Bar - a quaint restaurant/bar featuring Jamaican reggae music and a laid back atmosphere, the Q Bar where an American, Dan Stephenson plays reggae music through his Upstepper Sound and has regular roof top barbecues with a menu boasting rice and peas, jerked chicken, and jerked pork. It was amazing to see that the reggae culture is being injected into the Chinese culture, even by a non-Caribbean person.
The Together Bar - a quaint restaurant/bar featuring Jamaican reggae music and a laid back atmosphere, the Q Bar where an American, Dan Stephenson plays reggae music through his Upstepper Sound and has regular roof top barbecues with a menu boasting rice and peas, jerked chicken, and jerked pork. It was amazing to see that the reggae culture is being injected into the Chinese culture, even by a non-Caribbean person. The visit to the 2008 Olympic Village left the group breathless, as they got sneak peaks of the specially 
erected theme buildings which are an architect’s dream, and had an interesting interview with the Director of Beijing Official Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG). The homes of Jamaicans and Surinamese living in China were also visited and it was interesting to see how foreigners can feel at home in China.
erected theme buildings which are an architect’s dream, and had an interesting interview with the Director of Beijing Official Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG). The homes of Jamaicans and Surinamese living in China were also visited and it was interesting to see how foreigners can feel at home in China. Cleve, Novelette, and Cisca put a new meaning to "Caribbean hospitality" and it was a wonderful break feasting on escoveitched fish, curried chicken, rice and peas, a vegetarian special, and sweetsops after eating Chinese food for over a week!
Habits picked up while in China included tea drinking, using chopsticks, using non-traditional Western bathrooms, and learning how to say "xie xie'' (thank you), "ni hao" (how are you?), and "zai jian" (good bye) using the proper tones of the Chinese language.
The consensus by the group is that the trip was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity, and the information gathered is priceless.
The documentary which will be finished early 2008 is a must see, so be sure to visit
Article written by Rosie "Peppy" Parke. Visit www.peppypromotions.com and find out why "we bring out the PEP in you!"
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