On Jan. 8, 2012, Toy Shan Association of Trinidad and Tobago hosted a New Year luncheon. H.E. Mr. Yang Youming, Chinese ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, his wife Mme. Geng Hailing and diplomats from the Chinese Embassy attended the function. Also present were guests from the local Chinese community, members of the Association and their families and friends. Ambassador Yang and Mr. Li Tieying, President of Toy Shan Association, made remarks respectively, and conveyed their best wishes for the new year to all the guests.

Ambassador Yang in his remarks highly praised the efforts by the Chinese community in Trinidad and Tobago in the preservation and promotion of Chinese culture in the country. He mentioned some of the major events organized by the Chinese community in the year 2011 and left deep impression on the minds of the people who took part in them: the China Society, along with other Chinese associations, successfully held a commemoration for the 100th anniversary of 1911 Revolution; the Chinese Association set up the Dai Ailian Foundation in honor of the "Mother of Chinese Modern Dance" born in Trinidad and Tobago; the Chinese Arts and Culture Studies Society opened its newly-completed activity center on the last day of 2011; the Dragon Boat Association held its first Dragon Boat race in Tobago which was warmly received, and the Chinese Steel Pan Ensemble shared the same stage with artistes of the Tianjin Music Group for the first time, and they entertained both the medical staff and crew members on board of the Chinese Navy hospital ship "Peace Ark". Ambassador Yang said that as Chinese Ambassador, he was very pleased to see so many people and so much dedication involved in these events. He expressed his wish to see the Chinese community continue to make efforts in promoting the Chinese culture in Trinidad and Tobago in the coming year. He pledged that the Chinese Embassy and himself would as always provide necessary support and assistance as best as they could.

Mr. Li Tieying thanked the Chinese Embassy and the other groups of the Chinese community for their support to Toy Shan Association. He said that the Association would continue to contribute to the promotion of Chinese culture and the strengthening of the ties between China and Trinidad and Tobago.