Chinese community in T&T calls for greater national recognition

Members of the Sun Wai Association are urging wider acknowledgment of the Chinese community’s contributions to Trinidad and Tobago, highlighting the need to expand cultural visibility beyond food and commerce.

The call came during the association’s annual Chinese New Year and Spring Festival celebration at St. Peter’s Private Primary School. Committee member Candice Lee-Ha said traditional Chinese cultural practices have faded from public life and could be revived through lantern festivals, education programs, and community events.

While Chinese Arrival Day is officially recognized on October 12, it is not a public holiday. Association president David Lee suggested modest government involvement, such as designating a Sunday, to better honor the community’s role in national life.

Lee noted that Chinese descendants in T&T, many tracing roots to Xinhua District, Guangdong Province, have historically contributed across business, banking, politics, and education. Early pioneers included John Lee Lum, who identified Trinidad’s first oil field, and William Henry Scott, a notable businessman.

Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Narendra Roopnarine praised the Chinese community, saying their contributions exemplify the country’s multicultural harmony. “When we celebrate the Chinese New Year, we celebrate Trinidad and Tobago as a whole,” he said.