As I wait in the departure hall of St. Maarten’s airport for my long journey back to Beijing, I find myself not restless but reflective. Delays that once might have caused frustration now feel insignificant compared to the warmth of the memories I carry. In just two weeks, Antigua and Barbuda ceased to be a faraway island; it became a place where I felt at home.
Carnival and cricket were both firsts for me in Antigua, and together they opened new windows of understanding. Carnival dazzled with color and rhythm, yet beyond the joy was a deeper spirit of resilience and identity, a community moving as one. Cricket, too, revealed more than sport. The match I watched carried a legacy cherished across generations, where patience and sudden brilliance spoke of unity and pride. These two experiences—festival and game—showed me how culture and sport intertwine to create belonging.
The moment that will stay with me forever, however, was the solemn ceremony in which Prime Minister Gaston Browne was conferred the title of Honorary Professor by Hangzhou Normal University. For the first time in our university’s century-long history, such an honor was given to a sitting head of government. It was more than an academic title; it was a symbol of respect, trust, and a bridge of friendship across oceans. In the Prime Minister’s acceptance, I heard not only gratitude but also the voice of a nation determined to walk with dignity into the future.
When I later spoke on ABS Television and Radio, what struck me most was not the studio lights or cameras, but the spirit of dialogue itself. The broadcast reminded me that cultural exchange is never one-sided: while I shared my thoughts on education and friendship, I was also listening—learning how Antigua sees itself and presents its story to the world. It felt less like an interview and more like a conversation across oceans, an affirmation that people can meet one another through words, ideas, and respect.
Reflecting on these days, I was reminded of the vision shared by President Xi Jinping at the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China–CELAC Forum: solidarity, development, civilization, peace, and people-to-people connectivity. Though meant for the wider world, I found these values alive in Antigua. I saw solidarity in the dedication of ministers, development in the dreams of young people, civilization in the pride of cultural heritage, peace in the kindness to a visitor, and people-to-people connectivity in every act of hospitality.
Travel is said to enlarge the soul. Antigua has enlarged mine. Its landscapes are breathtaking, but even more moving is the character of its people—open, generous, and strong. In their warmth and kindness, I did not feel like a stranger. I felt at home in Antigua, embraced by its community, welcomed into its stories, and touched by the sense that distance could dissolve into belonging.
As I return to China, I carry more than memories. I carry the conviction that Antigua and China, though separated by oceans, are joined by shared hopes. For me, Antigua will always be a home away from home—no longer far, but near to my heart. It will remain a companion in the shared journey toward a world that is more connected, humane, and filled with hope.