Yesterday (October 14), at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, China’s Ambassador to Jamaica, H.E. Chen Daojiang, spoke about the long and fruitful diplomatic relations between Jamaica and China and how this bodes well for future bilateral relations between the two countries.

The event was entitled ‘Symposium on China-Jamaica Relations at 50 and Beyond’.

Below is his full address:

First, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Jamaica, I would like to welcome all of you at today’s symposium co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Jamaica and the Jamaica China Friendship Association.

This is one of the major important activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Jamaica, also the first face-to-face event held by the Embassy outside since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my due respect and sincere gratitude to all those who care for, support and have made contributions to the development of China-Jamaica relations.

On November 21, 1972, China and Jamaica formally established diplomatic relations, starting a new chapter of interactions between two countries. Jamaica also became the first English-speaking Caribbean country to establish diplomatic relations with China. In the past 50 years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of two countries, China-Jamaica relations has been maintaining steady and healthy development despite the rapid and complicated changes of international situation, bringing tangible benefits to both countries and two peoples.

In the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the political mutual trust has been constantly consolidated and the leaders from two countries have been keeping close interactions. In 2019, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Andrew Holness agreed to elevate bilateral relations to strategic partnership and Jamaica became China’s first strategic partner in the Caribbean region. In the past 50 years, China and Jamaica have set up a good example for developing countries to work in solidarity and conduct cooperation, and have achieved a triple jump in bilateral relations, namely, from the establishment of diplomatic relations, to a friendly relationship seeking common development, and to the strategic partnership.

In the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the practical cooperation of two countries has been constantly deepened. In 2019, Jamaica became the first Caribbean country to sign the cooperation plan on joint promoting the Belt and Road cooperation with China. In the past 50 years, Chinese companies have made a cumulative investment of over US$2.1 billion in Jamaica, creating 35,000 jobs directly, and more jobs indirectly.

The China-aid projects, including the new headquarter of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Chinese Garden at the Hope Royal Botanical Gardens, have become the new landmarks of office and entertainment. The Confucius Institute at Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies and Western Children’s Hospital have greatly promoted the development of Jamaica’s education and health system. The North-South Highway is now known as the most beautiful highway in Jamaica. The Montego Bay Perimeter Road and the Southern Coast Highway Improvement Project will definitely accelerate Jamaica’s journey towards goal of “re-igniting a nation for greatness”.

Jamaica’s Blue Mountain Coffee and Rum have become famous name cards of Jamaica in China. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, China and Jamaica has been supporting each other to tide over the difficult times, writing a new chapter for China-Jamaica friendship.

In the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China has presented hundreds of Chinese Government Scholarships and Chinese Ambassador’s Scholarships to Jamaican students to help them pursue their dreams. A total of nearly 3,000 Jamaicans from different fields received short-term training sessions and gained strength in their personal development.

The Confucius Institute at the UWI Mona Campus has given Mandarin lessons to thousands of Jamaican students. China’s two ‘Bright Journey’ Medical Missions helped return a bright and colourful world to hundreds of Jamaican cataract patients. We are also grateful to Jamaica’s valuable support to China by providing training sessions and government scholarships in fields such as education and sports.

The fundamental reason for the sound development and prudent pace of China-Jamaica strategic partnership in the past 50 years lies in the great importance attached to the bilateral relationship by generations of Chinese leaders and Jamaican administrations, which holds high the banner of the development of bilateral relations and points out the sailing direction.

It lies in the mutual respect for and support on issues concerning each other’s core interests. China appreciates Jamaica’s firm adherence to one China principle. It also lies in that both China and Jamaica are developing countries who set development as top priority in governance, firmly implement the philosophy of people-centered development, and stick to win-win cooperation and openness.

 It lies in the profound friendship between our two peoples who always treat each other in a friendly manner, support each other in solidarity and act as bridges of two countries. It also lies in the shared commitment of China and Jamaica to the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

Colleagues, friends, ladies and gentlemen,

The day after tomorrow, the Communist Party of China (CPC) will convene its 20th National Congress in Beijing. This national congress will be an important meeting to be held at a critical time as China embarks on a new journey toward its second centenary goal of building a modern socialist country in all respects. At this national congress, the CPC will fully review the major achievements made and valuable experience gained in China’s reform and development endeavors.

It will also formulate programmes of action and overarching policies to meet China’s new development goals on the journey ahead in the new era and the new expectations of the people. A prosperous, rich, strong China that opens to the world will surely bring more opportunities and inject more impetus to Jamaica and the rest of the world.

Recently, Minister Kamina Jonhnson-Smith raised that the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries provides a golden opportunity to develop China-Jamaica relations, with which I fully agree. Our two countries should seize this historical and golden opportunity to work together to promote the China-Jamaica strategic partnership to a new level and lay a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations in next 50 years.

First, we should strengthen political guidance and be good brothers supporting each other. The strategic consensus reached by leaders of our two countries should be firmly implemented. The close interactions among Parties of our two countries should be maintained. China and Jamaica should also step up cooperation and coordination in international affairs and continue to provide mutual understanding and support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns.

Second, we should deepen practical cooperation and be good partners seeking common development. The Global Development Initiative(GDI) proposed by China lists poverty alleviation, food security, climate change, industrialisation, digital economy and connectivity as prioritised cooperation areas, and is highly synergetic to Jamaica’s development needs. China, together with members of the Group of Friends of the GDI have announced concrete measures to implement the GDI. We welcome Jamaica to join the Group of Friends of the GDI at an early time to acquire more development resources for Jamaica’s socioeconomic development.

As a pilot programme, the Embassy would hold China (Shandong)-Jamaica Investment Promotion Conference at the end of this month to inject new impetus into the development of bilateral relations with practical cooperation.

Third, we should enhance people-to-people exchanges and be good friends sharing weal and woe. The amity between the people holds the key to sound state-to-state relations. Our two countries should conduct further communication and cooperation between colleges, think tanks, media and friendship associations from both sides in various fields including education, culture, health, sports, tourism, human/ resources cultivation so as to constantly consolidate popular support for and deepen the friendship of our two peoples. Our twin cities should also play a leading role of promoting cooperation at the local levels.

Colleagues, friends, ladies and gentlemen,

After 50 years of traveling in the wind and rain, China-Jamaica relations have yielded fruitful results. China-Jamaica strategic partnership is of great potential and bright future. I firmly believe that with the concerted efforts of our two countries, we would not only joint hands to build a better future for China-Jamaica relations, but make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind!

Lastly, I would like to, once again, express my sincere gratitude to all guests for attending today’s Symposium. I also wish it a complete success and look forward to your inspiring insights!

Thank you all!

• Chen Daojiang is the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica