2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Suriname. The reporter recently visited and observed that cooperation in multiple fields, from agriculture to infrastructure and cultural exchanges, is taking root and bearing fruit in this South American country, injecting momentum into the local economic and social development, and also writing vivid footnotes to the friendly relations between the two countries.

Agricultural technology cooperation drives wealth creation

The China Aid Suriname Agricultural Technology Cooperation Center is located in Saramaka District, about 1.5 hours' drive west of the Surinamese capital Paramaribo. When the reporter arrived, farmer Ashwin Dukey was working in the fields.

From drainage to weed control, to planting new varieties, Chinese experts have taught me a lot of new knowledge. With the help of Chinese experts, 28 year old Du Ji has introduced new products such as edible mushrooms, achieving improved quality and increased yield. Production will increase by at least 60%, and income will also increase significantly

The first phase of the technical assistance project of the China aided Suriname Agricultural Technology Cooperation Center, which Du Ji participated in, was launched in November 2022. A total of 11 rounds of training were conducted, cultivating over 450 certified agricultural technical experts and radiating over 9000 people.

The person in charge of the first phase of the project, Wang Yanhua, told reporters that in response to the weak technology in local breeding, pest control, and insufficient cold chain and processing facilities, Chinese experts have introduced excellent varieties suitable for the climate of the Caribbean region based on local conditions, promoted refined planting management technology, and helped local farmers improve production efficiency. Nowadays, the cooperation center has become a modern agricultural technology demonstration base integrating intelligent greenhouses, standardized farmland, and cold chain facilities. Some remote farmers have also established fruit and vegetable planting associations with the help of Chinese experts, gradually moving towards large-scale production. Chinese introduced crops such as cantaloupe have also gradually entered the local market, enriching people's dining tables.

Not long ago, the second phase of the project was officially launched. Du Ji stated that he will not only continue to participate in training, but also plan to recommend more friends to join. After seeing the changes happening on my farm, they all need to learn new technologies, "said Wang Yanhua. The next step of the project will focus on promoting the construction of the Sino Soviet Agricultural Industrial Park to facilitate the processing and export of high-quality local agricultural products.

Cultural exchange brings people closer together

At the recent reception for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Suriname held in Paramaribo, a unique dance performance caught the attention of the guests present. Mongolian, Dai, Uyghur... girls dressed in Chinese ethnic costumes took the stage one after another, followed by dancers of Indian and Indonesian descent. Most of the performers come from Suriname Dream Art School. Principal Lin Min told reporters that there are currently over 100 students in the school, including overseas Chinese and their children, as well as children from different ethnic families.

Lin Min said that Chinese culture has become an important component of Suriname's multiculturalism. In 2014, the Chinese Spring Festival was established as a legal holiday in Suriname, and related activities became important festivals with the participation of all local ethnic groups. Lin Min said that many children in the school were born and raised in Suriname and lack understanding of China. 

Through dance classes, they gradually began to understand China and fell in love with Chinese culture. "At the age of three, 10-year-old Cong Shuya came to Suriname with her parents. In her opinion, both China and Suriname are her hometowns. I love Chinese cuisine, and I also love my friends from Suriname. "Recalling her experience performing the Chinese dance" Nezha, "she was still very excited:" The audience stood up and applauded us, and I was particularly happy. "From festival stages to daily life, Chinese culture is silently integrating into local society, becoming an important link connecting people's hearts.

Building roads and bridges to improve people's livelihoods

On the way from Paramaribo International Airport to the city center, the reporter noticed two important roads. One is the airport expressway, with four lanes in both directions, connecting the airport with the city center; The other one is Haiwei Road, which serves as an east-west transportation hub, carrying a large number of people and goods, and is regarded as an "economic artery" by the local people. Both roads embody the sweat of Chinese builders.

We have been deeply cultivating Suriname for 27 years, "Yang Shengmin, Suriname representative of China Dalian International Economic and Technological Cooperation Group Co., Ltd., told reporters. As an early Chinese enterprise to enter Suriname, the company has built approximately 1300 kilometers of roads and 11 bridges, making it the main builder of local transportation infrastructure. Yang Shengmin recalled that when the company first arrived in Suriname, the road connecting the airport and the city was congested for a long time, and the Haiwei Road before the upgrade was also severely damaged due to long-term heavy vehicle crushing, often causing vehicles to get stuck in mud. After upgrading and renovating, the efficiency of the two roads has significantly improved, becoming an important symbol of Suriname's modern transportation construction.

Yang Shengmin observed that as more roads are opened, more and more local families are buying cars, and the connection between the city and surrounding areas is closer, with a significant increase in the flow of people and goods. You can intuitively feel Suriname's economic growth

Suriname's Minister of Public Works, Zeng Jinrong, said that Chinese companies have participated in the construction of a large number of roads and bridges, making important contributions to Suriname's economic and social development.

In addition to roads and bridges, Chinese enterprises actively participate in projects such as village microgrid photovoltaics, green mining, low-cost housing, and national broadband networks, continuously improving local livelihoods. In Zeng Jinrong's view, the two countries have broad cooperation space in areas such as housing construction, roads and bridges, and e-government in the future. The 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Suriname and China is an important moment to review friendship and open a new chapter for deepening cooperation between the two countries.Editor/Gong Ziwei