Suriname commemorates 171 years of Chinese arrival

In commemoration of 171 years of Chinese immigration in Suriname, a wreath was laying at the Friendship Monument on Jagernath Lachmonstraat. Minister Albert Ramdin of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation (BIBIS), Assemblyman, Chuanrui Wang, representative of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Clifton Braam, various representatives of Chinese organizations and the political counselor of the Chinese embassy in Suriname, Liu Zhenhua, laid a wreath. This ceremony was held on Sunday, October 20, 2024.

Counsellor Liu Zhenhua, emphasized during his speech that the contribution of the Chinese community in Suriname should not be underestimated. “Today, Chinese supermarkets can be found everywhere in Suriname, from every district to the far inland. From trade, restaurants, mining and the timber industry to setting up large companies and holding government positions,” Zhenhua said. He further indicated that he was happy that people from all ethnic groups in Suriname are celebrating this moment together with the Chinese people.

He expressed the hope that overseas Chinese in Suriname will invest in more and more areas and that these investments will produce positive results. “We must continue to spread Chinese culture, strengthen the friendship between the two countries, participate in the economic and social development of Suriname and make a positive contribution to the further development of China-Surinami relations”, said the political counselor of the People's Republic of China.

BIBIS Minister Albert Ramdin, noted that 171 years of Chinese presence in Suriname means a lot to the community, because it has contributed to the construction and shaping of Surinamese society. Furthermore, the minister indicated that President Chandrikapersad Santokhi did not leave a single moment to confirm, strengthen and bring to attention the relationship between Suriname and China.

He added that the head of state regularly consults with both Chinese entrepreneurs from China and the Chinese community in Suriname to explore how they can make even greater contributions to the further development of Suriname. The minister also emphasized that the Surinamese government, now with the signing of Total Energies' Final Investment Decision (FID), is open to more involvement by Chinese, emphatically in the oil and gas industry.

(Credit: Story and pictures from the Office of the President of Suriname)