STORY: Vast potential for cooperation between Suriname, China, says Surinamese president
SHOOTING TIME: April 4, 2024/File
DATELINE: April 11, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:50
LOCATION: Paramaribo
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Suriname
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CHANDRIKAPERSAD SANTOKHI, President of the Republic of Suriname
3. various of Suriname
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CHANDRIKAPERSAD SANTOKHI, President of the Republic of Suriname
5. various of Suriname
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): CHANDRIKAPERSAD SANTOKHI, President of the Republic of Suriname
7. various of China
8. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): CHANDRIKAPERSAD SANTOKHI, President of the Republic of Suriname
9. various of Suriname
10. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): CHANDRIKAPERSAD SANTOKHI, President of the Republic of Suriname

STORYLINE:

Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi expressed optimism about the enduring friendship and cooperation between Suriname and China in an interview with Xinhua ahead of his state visit to China.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CHANDRIKAPERSAD SANTOKHI, President of the Republic of Suriname
"We could move to the next level, and that is strengthening the bilateral relation between Suriname and China on governmental level, on the level also of the private sector, to promote cultural cooperation, business cooperation, investment cooperation."

Suriname is a Caribbean country, covering an area of approximately 160,000 square km with a population of over 600,000.

It is one of the earliest Caribbean countries to establish diplomatic relations with China, and in 2024, the two countries will celebrate the 48th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

In May 2018, Suriname signed a memorandum of understanding with China to jointly build the Belt and Road. Since then, the two countries have embarked on numerous mutually beneficial projects within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CHANDRIKAPERSAD SANTOKHI, President of the Republic of Suriname
"Firstly, it is promoting the connectivity. If you want to play a very comprehensive role in the area of development, in the area of investment, but also, if you want to strengthen partnership among countries, if you want to develop also intra-regional cooperation, then you need connectivity. And the Chinese strategy on the Belt and Road is giving opportunity, not only for China, but all the partners."

Suriname, with its extensive marine protected areas and one of the highest forest coverage rates in the world, holds significant importance for global ecological balance.

In terms of environmental protection and climate change response, Santokhi emphasized that there are shared interests and cooperation opportunities between Suriname and China.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): CHANDRIKAPERSAD SANTOKHI, President of the Republic of Suriname
"We see also the impact of climate change in my country. We are a small nation. We cannot address those issues. But we can address it jointly with the expertise and the modern technology of China, which is happening already in the agriculture sector to cooperate so that we can address climate change and the impact of climate change bilaterally, but also from the global perspective."

Furthermore, Santokhi positively evaluated the advancing of Chinese modernization and high-quality development.

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): CHANDRIKAPERSAD SANTOKHI, President of the Republic of Suriname
"With this development (in China), I think that we can learn on the strength sides, particularly in the area of economic development, particularly in the area of bringing prosperity for the people, but also the advanced development in the modern technology."

Since the arrival of the first batch of Chinese immigrants in 1853, the Chinese community has played a significant role in the Surinamese society. In 2014, the Chinese New Year was officially designated as a legal holiday in this Caribbean country.

SOUNDBITE 5 (English): CHANDRIKAPERSAD SANTOKHI, President of the Republic of Suriname
"I'm enjoying the Chinese food, the specialties, and also the Chinese drink. The presence of the Chinese community is enriching the Surinamese culture also."

Santokhi's state visit to China is scheduled for April 11 to 17.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Paramaribo.
(XHTV)