On October 20, 2026, the Suriname Chinese United Association held the Commemoration of the 173rd Anniversary of Chinese Settlement in Suriname and the Inauguration Ceremony of the China-Suriname Pavilion of Friendship at the Friendship Park in Paramaribo. More than 100 guests attended the event, including President of Suriname Jennifer Geerlings-Simons and other political dignitaries, Chinese Ambassador to Suriname Lin Ji, and representatives of the Suriname Chinese United Association and various overseas Chinese organizations.

Ambassador Lin noted that over the past 173 years, the Chinese community has taken root and developed in Suriname, becoming an important part of Suriname’s multicultural society. He stated that the China-Suriname Pavilion of Friendship is the latest embodiment of the friendly cooperation between the two countries, and expressed the hope that overseas Chinese in Suriname will remember the arduous journey of their forebears and contribute more to China-Suriname friendship.

President Simons stated that since 1853, the Chinese community has made important contributions to Suriname‘s national development. She noted that the China-Suriname Pavilion of Friendship symbolizes the friendship and solidarity between the Chinese community and people of all ethnic groups in Suriname, and expressed the hope that all sectors of society will work together to create a better future for the country.

The attending guests jointly unveiled the China-Suriname Pavilion of Friendship and laid wreaths at the monument commemorating the arrival of the first Chinese settlers in Suriname.