A GROWING FRIENDSHIP

Two of the first few things about Nicaraguan Claudio Frixione that amaze his Chinese contacts are his birthplace and school.

"They're always very interested in the hospital where I was born, the school I attended, because those places are owned by the company I work for," Frixione, 26, says.

Frixione, an employee of Flor de Cana, Nicaragua's award-winning rum, received free medical care and education from the parent company of the 133-year-old brand because his parents were also its employees.

"My father worked for the company for more than 40 years and my mother for 20-plus years before retiring, so I was 'raised' in the company, and I finished my high school at the school of the company; you can say our family is closely linked to it," he says.

Frixione says that, as Asia-Pacific marketing manager for one of the biggest Nicaraguan brands, and the only Nicaraguan working in the field in China, he is also perfectly positioned to introduce his Central American country to Chinese friends and beyond.

"Nicaragua boasts quality agricultural products like its rum, cigars and coffee; its magnificent landscape includes volcanoes and lakes. They are all just waiting for more people to discover them," he says.

Frixione, who obtained a scholarship for his tertiary studies in Taiwan majoring in business administration, including a year learning the Chinese language, moved to Shanghai half a year ago.

He stands out among Nicaraguans not only for speaking fluent Mandarin, but also for having obtained a visa to work in the Chinese mainland.

"We see a lot of potential here for us …rum is something that you can enjoy with other Nicaraguan specialties, such as chocolate or even a good cigar," says Frixione, adding that increasingly affluent and savvy Chinese consumers who enjoy Scotch whisky and French cognac will also be able to experience premium rum through Nicaragua's offerings.

"The availability of all these products coming from Nicaragua to China can help people understand more about our culture," he says.

"For example, Nicaraguans, we have our unique drinking culture. At dining tables, it's our bottles of rum, it's not just for adding into cocktails at bars that many other people may be used to."

Latest developments in China-Nicaragua ties are set to fuel Frixione's optimism for growth — in August, the two sides inked a free-trade agreement offering mutually beneficial trade and investment cooperation.

The milestone move follows the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and the Central American nation in 2021.

At an event in December marking the second anniversary of the relationship, Michael Campbell, Nicaragua's ambassador to China, said major areas of cooperation include infrastructure, development and industry projects, expertise and exchange, as well as the promotion of trade and investments.

"Nicaragua aims to become a strategic ally of China in Central America and a regional platform for Chinese companies," he said.

"We are actively promoting investment and trade in sectors such as agriculture, fishing and aquaculture, mining, light manufacturing, banking and finance, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and tourism," Campbell said.

"Nicaragua is welcoming Chinese companies and entrepreneurs with arms wide open, inviting them to visit our country and take advantage of our geographic location, natural resources and scenic beauty," he said.

Cai Wei, director-general of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at the event in Beijing that bilateral relations in the past two years "have developed by leaps and bounds".

"In April this year, I visited Nicaragua and had extensive in-depth exchanges with the country. I personally experienced the profound political mutual trust and friendship between the two countries," Cai said.

"Learning to sing Chinese songs has increasingly become a new 'trend' among Nicaraguan students. China-Nicaragua friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and benefits the people, which fully demonstrates that the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nicaragua is a correct decision that conforms to the trend and is in line with the fundamental interests of both countries," Cai said.

Nicaragua also joined the Belt and Road Initiative last year, promising to further tap growth opportunities.

For Frixione, the potential of China-Nicaragua cooperation can be understood in how his rum can be suitably paired with Chinese cuisine such as pork belly dishes.

"Stewed, something silky like what you have in Shanghai food, it gives that beautiful balance," he says.

"Round that off with an amazing cigar, if you're into smoking them, and a good, dark chocolate, that's a perfect pairing."