By Gavin Riley in Beijing

Young Jamaican content creator Zanaba Hudson was among four Caribbean participants who received commendations for positive stories at the 2024 award ceremony for the ‘China-LAC: Close Friendship Obliterates the Distance’ short video contest. 

The awards, sponsored by the China Public Diplomacy Association, recognised videomakers from Latin America and the Caribbean with simple guidelines. Entrants were required to upload a full-length video not exceeding three minutes in Chinese, English, Spanish or Portuguese during which time participants could speak about the China-LAC friendship in various fields through exciting stories or inspirational personal experiences. Entries opened on June 1 and closed two months later on August 1.

Hudson’s entry, a TikTok video highlighting the places she would like to visit, earned her a bronze award—which led to an official invite from China on a three-week whirlwind tour of the East Asian giant’s major cultural and architectural marvels.

“The competition was about influencers/creators from Latin America and the Caribbean to enter [and] describe things that they want to see in China or their love for [the country]. And so, I was notified about the contest via TikTok and I entered the competition and created a video stating the places that I would love to visit in China,” she began.

“I also mentioned some historical sites with a brief introduction about the history and how I’d love to try some Jamaican food in China, if possible!” exclaimed Hudson.

On learning that she was shortlisted for the bronze award, the Jamaican filed for a Chinese visa and was warmly welcomed to the capital Beijing in August. 

Hudson, who is based in Miami, Florida, told Our Today at the award ceremony that she was proud to have represented her country in the short video contest.

To date, the highlight of her oriental sojourn has been visits to the Ba’ma Tea Factory and Gardens in Fujian Province and the Dehua porcelain exhibit at the National Museum of China.

“And of course, winning my award was the icing on the cake for me. Wi likkle but wi tallawah,” she beamed.

Hudson also looks forward to gaining a deeper appreciation of China’s geography and its rich tapestry of culture as well as its wider contribution to global development over the centuries. 

The self-professed ‘flag collecting’ TikToker, who boasts nearly 27,000 followers, is inviting more Jamaicans to experience China on their own terms—far removed from long-established narratives about the country. 

“I say come with open arms. Be open-minded and accept what you see and feel. I am treated very friendly here [in China], I haven’t had any issues thus far and I must say that Chinese people are very respectful and that goes a long way. I’m having a great time while I’m here in China,” she told Our Today.