I still remember the moment I stepped onto the Peace Ark.

In November 2015, the Chinese hospital ship docked in Barbados, offering free medical services to the public. Curious, I went aboard. Inside, I saw doctors and nurses working steadily, treating patients one after another. When it was my turn, I received a checkup — and found myself wondering, almost in disbelief: is this really free? Could a nation be this generous?

That experience reminded me of a passage from Xi Jinping: The Governance of China. In the first volume, President Xi writes: "We will concentrate both on China's development and on our responsibilities and contributions to the world as a whole. We will bring benefits to both the Chinese people and the people of the rest of the world."

The Peace Ark was that commitment made real.

This spirit extended beyond healthcare to cultural exchange. One of the most memorable examples was the Fish and Dragon Festival — an event that blended the Chinese dragon with Barbados' national symbol, the flying fish, as part of the Spring Festival celebrations. With the support of the Chinese Ambassador, the festival has been a permanent fixture on our cultural calendar.

For me, the festival brought another idea from the book to life.

In a speech titled "Forge A Stronger Partnership Between China and Latin America and the Caribbean", President Xi emphasizes the importance of inter-civilizational dialogue and cultural exchanges: "One should value not only one's own culture, but also the cultures of others, and this will contribute to the flourishing of all cultures."

The Fish and Dragon Festival was this philosophy in vibrant color. I remember one evening during the festival especially clearly. After a Barbadian singer performed the Chinese folk song Jasmine Flower, a Chinese military band took the stage and began playing one of Barbados' most beloved songs, written by one of our cultural icons — and they played it with genuine joy.

In that moment, I realized that this effort to foster mutual understanding wasn't just symbolic; it was heartfelt.

As President Xi writes, "Civilizations become richer and more colorful through exchanges and mutual learning." What I witnessed felt like that idea in motion.

Much of diplomacy happens behind closed doors. But in my experience, China's engagement is also visible in everyday life. On a visit to my old high school, I noticed newly installed computers in a classroom. On the side of each CPU was a single Chinese character: yuan, which means "to lend a helping hand".

Later, I came across a speech where President Xi spoke about working "hand in hand" with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to pursue development and prosperity. Seeing that character on the computers gave those words a concrete meaning. It was a small detail, but one that connected policy to lived experience.

For me, reading The Governance of China is one thing; seeing its principles reflected in real life is another. What I've observed is not just a set of ideas, but a tangible plan unfolding with remarkable speed and sincerity — one that is becoming clear within a single generation.

Recently, I joined an association in Beijing dedicated to promoting friendship between Barbados and China, where people document and share their experiences with audiences back home. I've come to realize that it's now up to those of us living in China — who have witnessed these changes firsthand — to share our stories. We need to encourage others to look more closely, engage more openly, and form their own understanding of China.

Written by Stefan Lorde, a 35-year-old Barbadian passionate about learning the Chinese language and culture. He is currently studying for a master's degree in political science at Beijing Language and Culture University.