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When Dr. Nicoleen Johnson left the hills of Bethel Town, Westmoreland, she had no idea her journey would take her halfway across the world — or that she’d become a pioneer for Jamaicans in China. Now based in Shanghai, Dr. Johnson has built a successful business helping companies bridge cultural and commercial divides, all while proudly flying the Jamaican flag abroad.
A young Nicoleen with grandmother and cousins
Nicoleen at Fudan University in 1997A Leap of Faith
Dr. Johnson’s story began in rural Jamaica, where she was raised by her mother, a dressmaker, and spent summers in Ewarton with her father’s family. After studying Marketing at the then College of Arts, Science and Technology (now the University of Technology, Jamaica), she dreamt of pursuing postgraduate studies overseas.
Initially, she applied to universities in the United Kingdom, but destiny had other plans. One Sunday at church, she listened to a deacon share his experience of living in China and the idea struck a chord. Just two weeks later, she walked into her office at UTech to find a flyer from the Chinese Embassy advertising scholarships to study in China.
“I think China chose me,” she recalled. She applied and was accepted to Fudan University in Shanghai, one of the country’s most prestigious institutions, to study international relations and politics.
Learning the Language, Earning Her Place
Dr. Johnson’s arrival in China was not without challenges. Expecting her programme to be taught in English, she soon discovered all courses were conducted in Chinese. What was meant to be a two-year stay turned into seven, as she immersed herself in the language and culture, eventually earning both her Master’s and PhD, becoming the first Jamaican to graduate with two degrees from a Chinese university.
That accomplishment set the stage for an extraordinary career that would blend education, entrepreneurship, and cross-cultural diplomacy.
After graduating, Dr. Johnson expected to work with Jamaica’s newly opened embassy in Beijing, but fate intervened again. A chance encounter at an airport in Japan led to her first major business opportunity.
“I met another Caribbean traveller on my flight who later reached out about sourcing motorbikes from China,” she said. “That’s how my business started, completely by chance.”
That experience led her to establish Global Connections Gateway Limited, a company that assists clients worldwide in sourcing and exporting products from China. Among her early achievements was helping to set up the first Jamaican coffee shop in Shanghai, featuring Blue Mountain Coffee — a landmark moment in cultural exchange and Jamaican entrepreneurship abroad.
Life and Opportunity in Shanghai
Over her 28 years in China, Dr. Johnson has witnessed remarkable change. “When I first arrived, it was a very different China,” she said. “Today, the people are more open, more exposed, and more willing to try new things.”
Shanghai, she explained, is now a cosmopolitan hub where hundreds of nationalities live and work. “There’s still so much opportunity here for Jamaicans from coffee and rum to spices. Chinese consumers are developing a taste for unique, high-quality products.”
Her company now assists both Jamaican exporters and Chinese importers, handling due diligence, supplier research, and cultural navigation. Doing business in China, Dr. Johnson emphasised, requires more than just a good product. It demands cultural understanding.
One key concept is guanxi, which refers to relationship-building. “You don’t jump straight into business. You start with dinner, conversation, and trust. The Chinese need to know you before they can do business with you.”
The other is ‘face’ (miànzi) — the importance of maintaining respect and dignity. “If there’s a disagreement, handle it diplomatically. Causing someone to ‘lose face’ could end the relationship entirely,” she explained.
2024 Award for Outstanding Service in Education and to the Jamaican DiasporaBuilding Community Abroad
Beyond business, Dr Johnson has been a driving force in community building. She founded the Caribbean Association in China in 2007, and later the Jamaican Association in China in 2019. Both organisations have supported nationals living in the region and helped educate Chinese audiences about Caribbean culture.
“I also started a group called Jamaicans Doing Business in China,” she added. “There are Jamaicans here importing local products, hosting events, and helping each other navigate life in China.”
Her message to fellow Jamaicans thinking about doing business in China, “go for it. Start small, get help from someone on the ground, and protect your trademarks and patents. The opportunities are endless.”
Having travelled to 82 countries and visited six continents, Dr. Johnson carries Jamaica with her wherever she goes. “Everywhere I go, people know Bob Marley and Usain Bolt. Being Jamaican opens doors — people treat you like royalty,” she laughed.
Today, in addition to running her company, she lectures in Business and Management at a Shanghai university, teaching ethical and responsible business practices to her Chinese students.
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