Growing a 'Spectacular Tree'

Carmenza Jaramillo [Women of China English Monthly]

Carmenza Jaramillo arrived in China three and a half years ago, when she assumed the post as Colombia's ambassador to China. At that time, her main goal was to "plant the seed of Colombia in the hearts of Chinese people." She believes that "seed" has grown into a "spectacular tree" during the past 44 months. She left China at the end of July. Prior to her departure, Jaramillo sat down with Women of China (WOC), during which she shared her best memories of the country.

Q/WOC  A/Jaramillo

Q: What impressive changes have you noticed in China since you first visited the country in the early 1990s?

A: I came to China, for the first time, in 1992. Since then, China has gone through an extraordinary economic transformation. One of the most impressive changes I have witnessed has been the development of infrastructure from north to south, and from east to west. The development of transportation has been another colossal change I have witnessed. Back in the 1990s, bicycles were dominant in urban areas across China. I can still recall the sound of thousands of bicycles travelling on the streets.

One of the changes that has impacted me has been the decline in the numbers of hutong, the traditional alleys I have fallen in love with, and (which) have given me a wonderful glimpse into the old days. When I visited Beijing for the first time, the area around the Forbidden City was surrounded by countless winding alleys. But by the time I relocated to the city, in December 2012, a great number of them had already disappeared.

Q: What is your impression of Chinese people?

A: I enjoyed a trip to Xinxiang, a city in Central China's Henan Province, in June 2013. I visited a "train hospital" operated by Lifeline Express (a charity). In Xinxiang, the money raised through a charity bazaar, organized by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), was used to provide surgeries so cataract patients could regain their eyesight. I went to Xinxiang with Le Aimei, MFA's Honorary Ambassador for Poverty Alleviation. During that trip, I had the chance to interact with many elderly Chinese women. Language was not a barrier; I didn't speak Chinese, and they didn't speak English either, but I could tell from their smiling faces they were grateful and happy after they received the surgeries.

During the past three and a half years, I had chances to meet hundreds of Chinese people … and my impression has always been positive. I respect and admire their ability to learn various things fast, and to adapt to new situations, when they work in a multicultural environment.

I led a team of more than 30 members at the embassy, 20 of whom were Chinese. I cannot find a word to describe exactly the joy I experienced while I worked with such a fantastic, hardworking, tenacious and loyal group. I will miss them greatly.

My ties with China will never break. My daughter will stay in the country to continue her studies, so I will come back to visit her and my Chinese friends.

Q: What have you done to help Chinese learn about your country?

A: One measure was the "Colombian Coffee Happy Hour," a bimonthly event that served as a channel to introduce Colombia to people without any knowledge about our country. We have hosted the event more than 15 times, and it has attracted more than 3,000 participants. We introduced our world-known coffee during the event. We also covered a wide range of topics, including tourism, culture, gastronomy, music, dance and festivals.

We also promote in China a program, entitled "Promotion of Colombia Overseas," which provides funds for Colombian artists, so they can participate in cultural exchanges. We have organized performances, conferences, symposiums and forums for Chinese to interact with the artists, and to learn about our culture.

A significant cultural-exchange event we organized was the exhibition, "Botero in China," which was held at the National Museum of China, in Beijing, in November last year. Fernando Botero is a renowned Colombian painter. His paintings and drawings exhibited in Beijing reflected his unique style of creating portraits of our nation. His exhibition opened in Shanghai on January 21, 2016, when 10 sculptures and 140 paintings were showcased. This exhibition was also held in Hong Kong in late June. More than 500,000 people visited the exhibition in Beijing, and the exhibition in Shanghai attracted some 800,000 visitors.

Colombia is considered to be the "Door of the Americas." The country's location gives us the possibility to easily access both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. Our country is truly a "tropical paradise." Colombian people are known, worldwide, for having joyful, openhearted and welcoming personalities. We have very close relations within our families and with our friends; we resemble Chinese people, in terms of treasuring our families.
 
Message for WOC Readers:

I want to tell your readers to help preserve the wonderful, millenary history of this country, by not destroying the ancient (relics), but by (promoting) new and innovative developments (of the country). I also want them to share ancestral values, and to remind future generations that family is the foundation of society. The youngsters need to be prepared for an increasingly competitive world, but they won't shake the firm foundation of their family structures. We are born with nothing, and we will leave the world with nothing. There are endless things we can learn and share with each other during a lifetime: Love, knowledge, honesty, integrity, loyalty, kindness, education, spirituality …

(Source: Women of China English Monthly August 2016 Issue)