Dear Editor,

THERE are moments in one’s professional life so profound, so intellectually and emotionally transformative, that they redefine not just how we see the world but how we choose to move through it.
For me, participating in the Seminar on Economic and Trade Cooperation for BRI Partner Countries, held from June 16 to 25, 2025, under the esteemed leadership of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the visionary Xiamen National Accounting Institute (XNAI), was one such moment.
This was not simply a seminar; it was an odyssey, a masterfully-orchestrated convergence of diplomacy, knowledge, culture, and vision that forever shifted my understanding of what is possible when nations unite under the banner of shared development.
From the first lecture, I was immersed in a world where policy meets philosophy; where centuries-old traditions dance with cutting-edge technology, and where development is not a buzzword but a living, breathing reality. China, in all its complexity and grandeur, revealed itself not only as an economic giant, but as a moral architect of a new era in which mutual respect, sustainability, and cooperation are not ideals but imperatives.
The academic depth of the sessions was awe-inspiring. Discussions on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, the recalibration of global monetary power, and the architecture of ESG in modern trade were not passive lectures; they were catalytic revelations. I listened not as an outsider peering into another world, but as a citizen of a new global consciousness, realising the magnitude of what we, as developing nations, can achieve through principled partnership and strategic integration.
As a Guyanese professional entrusted with supporting national development and international cooperation, I found every element of the programme to be both intellectually enriching and strategically urgent. Guyana stands at a unique inflection point, blessed with natural wealth but equally challenged by climate vulnerability and institutional demands.
The insights gained on ‘green’ finance, low-carbon infrastructure, and digital modernisation offered not just inspiration but blueprints; real strategies for translating ambition into impact.
And yet, what moved me most was not just the content but the context. The site visits to the Yangpu Economic Development Zone, the Xiamen Customs Service Hall, and the Xiaochantan Container Terminal brought to life the principles of efficiency, innovation, and purpose-driven governance. These were not showpieces; they were living ecosystems of policy success, proof that the distance between vision and implementation can be bridged by courage, competence, and clarity of purpose.
Even more unforgettable were the moments of cultural communion. Standing in quiet reflection at the Hainan Museum, exchanging ideas with fellow delegates from across the globe, and meeting local pioneers in Huangcuo Village, where tradition and technology coexist in harmony, reminded me of the true genius of China’s development model. It is built on the understanding that progress must elevate, not erase, culture.
This was more than an academic engagement. It was a call to action, a reaffirmation of purpose, and a reminder that the global South is not a follower in the development narrative but a co-author. The BRI Seminar did not just broaden my knowledge, it expanded my conviction that Guyana, and countries like it, have the capacity to lead, to innovate, and to inspire on the world stage.
To the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, I extend more than gratitude; I extend admiration. Your belief in South-South solidarity, your strategic generosity, and your vision of a multipolar, collaborative global order resonates deeply with those of us committed to building a better world.
To the brilliant minds and facilitators at Xiamen National Accounting Institute, I salute your academic excellence, and the heart with which you teach. You did not merely instruct; you ignited.
To my fellow delegates, visionaries, policymakers, scholars, and change agents, you are now part of my professional family. Together we began a dialogue that I am confident will echo across continents and generations.
This experience has left me forever changed. I return home not just informed but transformed, ready to integrate these lessons into Guyana’s national strategies, to inspire within my institutions, and to champion the principles of sustainable, equitable, and inclusive development throughout our region and beyond.
What I encountered in China was not a lesson; it was a legacy in the making, and I am honoured to have been a part of it.
Sincerely,
Ragunauth Randy Ramsaroop
Liaison Director, AGM Inc.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brilliant piece of penmanship!