The following is the speech made by Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica Chen Daojiang at Huawei’s celebration of its 15th anniversary in Jamaica and grand opening of its new office in St Andrew, held on Thursday (October 20).

It’s always a pleasure for me to witness the progress of practical cooperation between Chinese companies and Jamaican society. I’m more than happy to extend my congratulations to Huawei and Jamaica! Fifteen years’ journey in Jamaica, Huawei finds the fertile land to root in long-term; 15 years in Jamaica, Jamaica witnesses the determination of Huawei to build a digital Jamaica.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Huawei entering Jamaica. A special year for Huawei Jamaica. However, we all know that the global economy is facing the risk of recession due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the unstable international situation. But it is with this background that Huawei continues expanding investment in Jamaica and upgrading their new office here. I see their determination to develop in Jamaica in the long run, or, we can say, they have made themselves part of Jamaica.

HUAWEI WORKING WILL LOCAL PARTNERS TOWARDS ICT TRANSFORMATION

Why do I say so? During the past 15 years, when Huawei has been working together with local partners towards the transformation of the ICT network in Jamaica, they also shoulder their social responsibility through many programmes, such as the Seeds for the Future programme, ICT Talent Development and Internship Plan, ICT Talent Hub Initiative and so on. Huawei Jamaica has been offering technological and cultural learning chances and ICT knowledge to young people of Jamaica to improve Jamaica’s participation in the international digital community.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Independence of Jamaica. A special year for Jamaica. The economy is expanding in the first half year which lays a solid foundation for recovery from COVID-19. The unemployment rate was down to six per cent in April, a record low. Jamaica has been constantly pushing forward its cause in various areas such as digital transformation, infrastructure construction and environmental protection, and has yielded positive results. This shows the strong leadership of the government of Jamaica and the resilience of the Jamaican economy. Besides, it is largely due to Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ focus on the development of information and communication technologies and attention to the construction of STEM in Jamaica. I believe this is important in Jamaica’s fast and successful journey to “Re-ignite a nation for Greatness”.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Jamaica. A special year for the both. As strategic partner, China will continue carrying out practical cooperation with Jamaica. In July this year, the China-Caribbean Development Centre was established in Shandong province. I believe Confucius is known to many of you, and Shandong is the hometown of Confucius, also my hometown. It is a major economic and cultural coastal province with strong industries.

The year 2021 witnessed a total GDP of US$1.31 trillion in Shandong province. Next Wednesday, our embassy will co-host China (Shandong)- Jamaica Investment Promotion Conference to set up cooperation bridges for industries such as agriculture and fishery, manufacturing, renewable energy, human resource cultivation.

Meanwhile, China will also provide support to Jamaican friends. The Western Children’s Hospital, China-aid office equipment and airport security scanners project as well as Coach Technical Training Project are moving forward at an orderly pace.

China will also support Jamaica in the construction of STEM to cultivate well-qualified talents and high-quality labour forces to promote economic and social development, which is also highly synergetic with the Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The GDI lists poverty alleviation, food security, financing for development, green development, digital economy and connectivity as priorities.

NEW HUAWEI OFFICE WILL OPEN NEW CHAPTER OF ICT DEVELOPMENT

China is willing to work together with Jamaica to foster an open, fair and just environment for innovation and the growth of digital economy, to develop the digital infrastructure, speed up digital transformation, strive to bridge the digital divide, and promote development of the digital economy in an all-round way to achieve common prosperity.

I think Huawei is a typical representative of hi-tech companies that could do something towards improved and greater equality and opportunity for all, especially the developing countries, for a fully connected and digital world.

I’m sure the inauguration of the new Huawei office will open a new chapter of the ICT development of Jamaica. It will rise together with Jamaica.