摘要：Sarah Jane Waddell, Administrative Manager of China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Co., Ltd(CRCCCL), visited the No. 93 Courtyar

At the No. 93 Courtyard Museum in Beijing, Sarah Jane Waddell dipped her brush into black ink and carefully painted a traditional Chinese opera mask. The vibrant colors and bold lines mirrored the cross-cultural journey that has defined her life — from the stage of Miss World representing Trinidad and Tobago to the forefront of China-Caribbean infrastructure cooperation.

Sarah Jane Waddell, Administrative Manager of China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Co., Ltd(CRCCCL), visited the No. 93 Courtyard Museum to experience traditional opera mask painting on May 12 in Beijing. Photo by Tian Jiashuo/China Youth Daily

Sarah first came to Beijing in 2008. Seventeen years later, she was struck by how much the city had changed — and what that change symbolized. Walking through Qianmen Street, she immersed herself in traditional crafts, local delicacies, and centuries-old heritage — discovering China that is at once ancient and boldly modern.

But Sarah's Vlog is more than scenic shots and street food; it's about decoding culture. "Beijing itself taught me this lesson," she says, "Those perfect rows of rose bushes along the airport highway? The unlocked bikes arranged like public art? These aren't accidents. They're proof of what happens when individual care meets systemic vision. That's the mindset we bring to every project."

Now serving as Administrative Manager of China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Co., Ltd(CRCCCL), Sarah wears many hats: project executive, storyteller and cultural interpreter. "The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) isn't only about roads and bridges," she says, "It's about human connections — building a future grounded in mutual respect."

Just as she learned to paint masks with patience and precision, Sarah now applies that same intentionality to building partnerships — layer by layer and stroke by stroke.

Her path to international cooperation was unconventional. Having once been a contestant in the Miss World pageant, she has evolved from cultural ambassador to a key figure in cross-cultural dialogue and infrastructure diplomacy. "Both roles involve telling a story," she reflects, "Back then, it was about being seen. Now, it's about creating lasting value."

That storytelling role is more important than ever. "Infrastructure is steel and concrete, but trust is built through stories," she says, "My job is part PR and part translation — explaining not just what we build, but also the reasons behind it. When people understand the 'why,' skepticism turns into support."

In 2018, an earthquake damaged the historic Port of Spain General Hospital, originally built in 1854. In 2023, CRCCCL won the contract to rebuild it — a 3-storey tower equipped with 10 operating rooms, an ICU, and emergency departments, set to serve over 600,000 residents. "This isn't just a building," says Dr. Shaheeba Barrow, the hospital's Medical Director, "It's the foundation for a new era in healthcare, education, and regional integration." The hospital will also serve as a teaching hub for the University of the West Indies.

Sarah agrees: "Projects like this rebuild public confidence in what's possible." CRCC has delivered 18 healthcare projects across Latin America, consistently combining engineering precision with long-term partnerships. "We're not here to build and leave," she says. "We stay. We train locals, invest in communities, and grow together."

In Trinidad and Tobago, that means training workers in technical skills and English, renovating schools, prioritizing local procurement, and even offering exchange programmes in China for top-performing staff. "Respecting local culture and talent is key," Sarah emphasizes, "That's how we build real cooperation."

She attributes much of her approach to CRCC's history. "When I reference our 'military-grade grit,' I mean it literally. CRCC began by rebuilding war-torn railways in China. That legacy of disciplined, mission-focused work is in our DNA. It's not just about building fast, but building to last — with the kind of precision that earns trust."

Understanding the deeper structure of Chinese culture is also essential to her work. "Too often, misunderstandings about China come from applying a Western lens," she says, "You can't evaluate China using the same framework. Chinese society has its own cultural logic, shaped by centuries of thought."

One concept she frequently explains is hierarchy. "While hierarchy may be approached differently in the West, through CRCC, I've learned how clear roles and shared purpose — like our military origins — can transform complex projects into triumphs. It's not about control; it's about alignment. Everyone knowing how their piece fits into the larger puzzle."

Having studied Chinese at university and worked with Chinese firms for years, Sarah bridges two worlds. "That's why I encourage more young people to learn about China — not from afar, but up close."

To the youth watching this cooperation unfold, she has a message: "The future isn't about choosing between systems. It's about becoming fluent in multiple. We don't just translate words — we translate values."

Standing at the crossroads of continents and cultures, Sarah Jane Waddell is proving that diplomacy doesn't always happen in ministries or at summits. Sometimes, it happens one hospital, one worker, one story at a time. (By Zhao Anqi/China Youth Daily)

来源：中国青年报