Chairman of the Barbados-China Friendship Association (BCFA) Ricardo Sealy
said his group's aim was to "enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries, which definitely results in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development".

The BCFA recently hosted a series of events to welcome Wang Hongqiang, the visiting secretary-general of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship to Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).

Sealy hosted a tea party on Saturday, July 2, to officially welcome Hongqiang; the next day the secretary-general made a call on Lady St John, who is patron of the BCFA; while on Monday, July 4, over 40 members of the BCFA and spouses attended a reception hosted at the Chinese embassy by Ambassador Liu Huan Xing.

Wang told members of the BCFA: "The CPAFFC is a national people's organisation engaged in non-governmental diplomatic work of the People's Republic of China. The four aims of the CPAFFC are to enhance people's friendship, further international co-operation, safeguard world peace and promote common development."

The BCFA has now joined the ranks of organisations in foreign countries which seek friendship and co-operation with the citizens of the People's Republic of China.

Meanwhile, Sealy said the BCFA was seeking to increase its membership and was inviting Barbadians to come out and get involved. Membership, he added, was open
to citizens of Barbados who were committed to the ideals of the association.