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Chinese Ambassador exits

Published:Sunday | April 17, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Senator Marlene Malahoo Forte leads the toast to departing Chinese Ambassador Chen Jinghua (right) with the help of Ambassador Noel Martinez. - Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Elder statesman of the diplomatic corps, High Commissioner Cedric Harper (right) of St Kitts and Nevis, shares a pic with departing Chinese Ambassador Chen Jinghua.
Dean of the diplomatic corps, Ambassador Noel Martinez (left), gets demonstrative as he raps with colleagues Ambassador David McField (centre) of Nicaragua and Ambassador Yuri Gala Lopez of Cuba.
Protocol chief at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ricardo Allicock, chats with Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda.
Nicaraguan Ambassador David McField (left) listens keenly to Korean Chargé d'Affaires Kimo Lim.
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Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

After four years and four months of sterling work, Chinese Ambassador Chen Jinghua has bid Jamaica farewell.

He departed these shores last Monday to head home where he will enjoy his retirement. Before he jetted off to put his feet up, his colleagues in the diplomatic corps threw him a heartfelt send-off on Thursday April 7 at the residence of Diplomatic Corps Dean Ambassador Noel Martinez of Venezuela.

Ambassador Chen was hailed for his always reliable support and as Senator Marlene Malahoo Forte opined, the diplomatic relations are better for Ambassador Chen having served here.

"I am deeply moved by the friendship shown to me," said a touched Ambassador Chen. He revealed that Jamaica was his longest posting as an ambassador. He said he always found his assignments rewarding because he always learned so much about other cultures and the strong points of the nations. He said he had enjoyed every day of his tenure here, especially because of the support he received. He also said he had benefited from the experiences of his colleagues, saying "we need to learn from each other".

Similar cultures

He acknowledged the many similarities between the various cultures, recommending that you should "never close your door to the rest of the world," explaining how his homeland had learned that lesson. He said he hoped he had done something during his time, quipping he was leaving some projects for his successor. Humble as ever he said, "I'm just happy to be part of it."

Ambassador Chen then gave an open invitation to his colleagues, if they ever come to Beijing, look him up!