The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in collaboration with the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) hosted a meet-and-greet session with Her Excellency, Hua Chunying, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China at the National Library on July 3, 2023.

Among the attendees were secondary school and university students, members of the business community, His Excellency Fang Qui, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, as well as members of the visiting Chinese delegation, who along with Hua, came to Trinidad and Tobago for the 45th Regular Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government and the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of CARICOM.

During the audience’s question and answer session, Her Excellency addressed topics such as Chinese diplomacy, Chinese development, exchanges between China and the world and the Belt Road initiative. This event is among many hosted by NALIS to provide the public with access to information and to bridge cultural divides.

After the discussions, Assistant Minister Hua, presented new bilingual (Chinese and English) books to Paula Greene, NALIS’ Executive Director. Thereafter, a delegation, which included the Ambassador Qiu, Neil Parsanlal, Chairman of the Board of NALIS and Paula Greene, Executive Director of NALIS and students also visited the newly launched Chinese Book Collection at the First Floor, Adult Library, National Library. The donated books will be added to NALIS’ Chinese Book Collection.

NALIS continues to build bilateral relationships with foreign entities so that expertise in the area of Library and Information Science can be shared. In June 2023, the Authority signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the National Library of China (NLC) and in April was accepted as a member of the Silk Roads International Library Alliance, an initiative of the NLC. In July 2022, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was signed with the National Library of Peru.

Her Excellency, Hua Chunying at the National Library on July 3.

After viewing the Chinese Book Collection at the Adult Library, Her Excellency pose with students and educators.

Engrossed: From left, Neil Parsanlal, Chairman of the Board of NALIS, Paula Greene, Executive Director, NALIS and Beverly Williams, Deputy Executive Director, NALIS attentively listen to Her Excellency Hua Chunying during her visit to the National Library.