Surinamese farmers have seen significant improvements in crop growing over the past half a year thanks to the operation of a farming technological cooperation project between China and Surinam -- the China-aided Suriname Agricultural Technical Cooperation Center.
Since its inauguration on November 2, 2023, the China-aided Suriname Agricultural Technical Cooperation Center has administered technical training for 100 Surinamese farmers, who have not only learned know-how on the cultivation of quality fruit and vegetable varieties introduced from China, but have also mastered a great deal of advanced farming technologies with the guidance and help of Chinese experts.
In recent years, China has been working to support Suriname, a small country on the northern coast of South America, with about a third of its 623,000 population living in rural areas, in improving its agricultural practices to boost productivity and sustainability.
In the China-aided Suriname Agricultural Technical Cooperation Center, situated near Suriname's capital Paramaribo, Chinese experts were teaching know-how on the growing of new varieties of seedless watermelon to over 30 local farmers. Such watermelons are gaining popularity in the country because of their high yield, ease of cultivation, and large size.
"The training covers cultivation techniques for vegetables and fruit trees, as well as pest and disease control. The main focus is on teaching them how to do it. Theoretical and practical classes each make up 50 percent of the training, with hands-on learning during the sessions," said Liu Dejun, leader of the center's first technical assistance project.
Some locals have highly commented on the Chinese experts for their wealth of experience and their ability to integrate their teachings with the local realities in Suriname.
"The citrus trees grew not so good like they are now. Because of the guidance and help I've got from them, the trees are growing better and are giving more fruits," said a Surinamese farm manager.
China has called for efforts to strengthen cooperation and deepen the bilateral relationship between China and Suriname as Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi is paying a state visit to China from April 11 to 17.
Surinamese farmers see significant crop improvements with Chinese support
The United States has long been the major external factor affecting Haiti's security, stability, and development, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, on Monday, who also condemned the U.S. for exacerbating Haiti's economic challenges by imposing sweeping tariffs.
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting, Geng expressed China's deep concern over Haiti's worsening crisis and rampant gang violence, its near-collapse state, and the desperate situation of its population.
For over a century, the United States has blatantly deployed troops, installed puppet governments, and manipulated Haiti's constitution, entrenching itself in Haiti's political affairs, said Geng.
He noted that just a year ago, the United States orchestrated the current political transition arrangements in Haiti. However, following a shift in its own government, the United States has turned a blind eye to that very transition, leaving Haiti mired in internal conflict and turmoil.
According to Geng, the United States has always been the main source of weapons for Haiti, allowing illegal weapons to flow into Haiti from Florida.
In October 2023, the United States spearheaded the formation of the Multinational Security Support Mission, pledging financial support. However, in the past year and more, its actual contributions have been relatively limited. At one point, the Untied States even attempted to convert the mission into a UN peacekeeping operation, citing a lack of funds, said Geng.
This is an apparent act to shift the burden onto the UN and its member states, treating them as little more than an ATM machine, Geng added.
Geng also highlighted the U.S. role in undermining Haiti's development.
While professing support for the Haitian people, the United States has significantly cut foreign aid and continued deporting Haitian immigrants on the pretext of national priorities when Haiti is in dire need of support, said the Chinese envoy. "What is even more shocking is that not long ago, while the United States defied world opinion by imposing sweeping tariffs on all trade partners, it also extended its so-called baseline tariff of 10 percent to Haiti, one of the world's least developed countries as defined by the UN. This act of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying is not just aimed at the so-called competitors like China. It has also inflicted damage on a nation teetering on the edge of collapse, such as a fragile country like Haiti, where the people are in dire straits. This is not only cruel and absurd, but also profoundly heartbreaking," said Geng.
Chinese envoy slams US for negative role in Haiti's crisis
