On July 21, a cohort of Surinamese diplomats and civil servants marked a key milestone in bilateral cooperation with China, successfully graduating from a foundational Mandarin language training course organized as part of 50th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The three-month program was initiated by Suriname’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation (BIS) as part of its ongoing push to professionalize the country’s diplomatic corps and deepen people-to-people and institutional ties with Beijing.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Miriam Mac Intosh, Director of the BIS, emphasized that language proficiency is an irreplaceable tool for modern diplomatic practice. She noted that Mandarin skills will directly improve mutual understanding between Surinamese and Chinese counterparts, simplify on-site visits, streamline negotiation processes, and smooth daily working interactions between the two sides. Mac Intosh also encouraged all course participants to continue refining their Mandarin skills in their future diplomatic work.
Chinese Ambassador to Suriname Lin Ji echoed this view, noting that language learning acts as a people-to-people bridge connecting the two nations. The successful completion of this foundational course, he said, lays a solid foundation for advancing and deepening the comprehensive cooperation between China and Suriname in all sectors.
Gardel Jong a Ten, Vice President of the local Confucius Institute, which partnered to deliver the training, contextualized the course within the framework of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Beyond basic language instruction, the program also integrated modules introducing participants to core elements of Chinese culture, including traditional festivals and cultural customs. Jong a Ten announced that the institute will continue rolling out new language training programs and cultural exchange activities for Surinamese institutions and the general public in the coming months.
Surinamese Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva added that boosting professional capacity among the country’s diplomatic workforce is one of his top policy priorities. Through the Suriname Diplomatic Institute, the ministry is investing heavily in expanding the knowledge base, technical skills, and intercultural competence of Surinamese diplomatic staff, to equip them to effectively represent Suriname’s interests in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.
Bouva framed the Mandarin course as a tangible example of this capacity-building strategy in action, describing languages as “powerful instruments of diplomacy” that foster open dialogue, strengthen mutual understanding, and advance constructive international cooperation. The closing ceremony concluded with a creative showcase from participants, who demonstrated their new language skills and cultural knowledge through performances of traditional Chinese songs and original sketch comedy.