The National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) is one of the seven recipients of the Friends of the Chinese Embassy Outstanding Contribution Award, presented by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China at the fourth Chinese Friendship Day reception held at the Embassy on October 25.

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Trinidad and Tobago said that NALIS has played a significant role in documenting and showcasing the history of the Chinese community in Trinidad and Tobago. Also listed among NALIS’ achievements were: the signing of the inaugural Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NALIS and the National Library of China; the Authority's joining of the Silk Road International Library Alliance; the launch of the Chinese Reading Collection at the National Library; NALIS' donation of books about Trinidad and Tobago to the National Library of China, making T&T material accessible to readers in Beijing, and the facilitation of the official visit of Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, Her Excellency Hua Chunying, at the National Library with a greet-and-meet session.

According to the Embassy, "All these accolades embrace the amicable friendship and determined long-term collaboration between our two peoples, through knowledge sharing, capacity building and cultural appreciation."

Neil Parsanlal, Chairman of the Board of NALIS and Paula Greene, Executive Director, accepted the award which was presented by Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy, Yang Han and Reita Toussaint, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs.