The Chinese Embassy, in a celebration of international camaraderie and educational excellence, unveiled its “Family of China-Jamaica Friendship” sign on Tuesday (May 21) at the Earnest Institute For the Gifted, Hyperactive & Talented (EIGHT). 

The event, marking a significant milestone in the partnership between Jamaica and China, was jointly hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Jamaica and the EIGHT academy in downtown Kingston—unveiled by Ambassador Chen Daojiang and the State Minister in the Ministry of Education and Youth, Marsha Smith.

It signals a continuation of deepening bonds and mutual support between the two nations as Beijing has constructed two China Goodwill Infant Schools in St Andrew and St Thomas in the past decade.

EIGHT’s principal Natasha Russell Douglas expressed her gratitude for the support and collaboration that have helped the school advance its mission of providing specialised education for gifted, hyperactive, and talented students.

For his part, Ambassador Daojiang highlighted the longstanding relationship between Jamaica and China, emphasising how educational cooperation plays a crucial role in strengthening bilateral ties.

“The vast Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea are as closely linked as the hearts of our people. Jamaican people’s earnest pursuit of a better life always touches the hearts of the Chinese people. Aiming to strengthen our strategic partnership, mutual understanding and the welfare of the Jamaican people, the Chinese Embassy launched the ‘Family of China-Jamaica Friendship’ project. We are going to cooperate with the Jamaican Government to provide more support to community-based, welfare-focused organizations committed to enhancing our bilateral friendship, bringing warmth and hope to more Jamaican friends in need.” he said.

“EIGHT has a long-standing commitment to special education in Jamaica and plays a unique role in the implementation of compulsory education in Jamaica and the realisation of the full potential of special children,” he noted.

Daojiang also conveyed that in the future, the Chinese Embassy will provide EIGHT with “sustained and solid support in various areas, and create more cooperation opportunities such as training in China and inter-school exchanges.”

“In improving its teaching environment and competence, thereby providing better education for local special children. The embassy will continue to support the Confucius Institute in conducting Chinese language training to help students utilise their language skills and expand their international horizons. In the future, the students could achieve better development and become new envoys of China-Jamaica friendship,” he continued.

State Minister Marsha Smith praised the initiative, noting its potential to inspire further collaborations in the education sector.

“We here in Jamaica are very grateful for the friendship shown by the Republic of China,” she remarked. “They give support to institutions and organisations that are sometimes what we consider ‘off the beaten track’…we thank you as a people for partnership at the micro, medium and the macro level.” 

Though short and sweet, the ceremony included song performances by students enrolled at EIGHT in English and Mandarin.

It was a feel-good event that also held immense importance of China and Jamaican educational partnerships, and celebrated the shared vision of fostering equity and opportunity for special needs youth and by large the entire country.

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