Antiguan and Barbudan features writer, publisher, and media innovator Petra Williams

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An Antiguan and Barbudan features writer, publisher, and media innovator Petra Williams earned international recognition, receiving the Excellent Work Award at the third China–Latin America and Caribbean (China–LAC) “Close Friendships Obliterates the Distance” Short Video Contest.

Selected from hundreds of entries across the region, Williams was among twelve Caribbean finalists and is currently participating in a media influencers’ tour in China.

The contest, which celebrates cultural diplomacy, people-to-people exchange, and digital storytelling, provided Williams with a platform to showcase Antigua and Barbuda’s creativity on the global stage. Her achievement underscores the nation’s expanding role in international cultural exchange.

“We are traditionally connected to the North, but the scope for South–South cooperation is boundless,” Williams said. “I am particularly mindful of the prospects for our creative industries.”

Known for her dynamic voice in Caribbean media, Williams has travelled to more than 40 countries, developing a strong connection to China’s cultural history, traditions, and modern development under “socialism with Chinese characteristics.”

At home, Williams is widely recognized for her platform “Petra the Spectator”, which blends cultural commentary, sports coverage, and national development insights with a global perspective. She also produces the Time Capsule series, a digital archive of Antigua and Barbuda’s everyday stories. Later this year, she will release the third edition of The Spectator – Patriots Edition, an annual hard-copy magazine featuring twelve legacy pieces celebrating Antiguan and Barbudan identity.

Williams’ award is not only a personal milestone but also a reflection of Antigua and Barbuda’s emerging voice in global cultural diplomacy.