China celebrates Ja's friendship

Sacha Walters-Gregory, Staff Reporter

In an intimate reception held at the home of the Chinese ambassador to Jamaica, Zheng Qingdian, the ambassador applauded the strong ties shared between Jamaica and China over their four decades of diplomatic relations.

Held on November 23, the reception was in commemoration of 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"Jamaica is one of the first English-speaking Caribbean countries which established diplomatic relation with China," said Ambassador Qingdian, continuing, "the friendship between our two peoples has long history," he said of the growing bilateral relations which began in November 1979.

Ambassador Qingdian highlighted successful ventures between the two countries, which he attributes partly to Jamaica's support of the 'one China' policy, and the Chinese government's support of Jamaica's Independence and sovereignty.

"Our two countries have become good friends, good partners and good brothers," said Qingdian. "In the economic front, our bilateral trade has grown from less than US$1 million in the early days of 1970s to nearly US$375 million today," he said. Successful partnerships include the Trelawny cricket stadium, Montego Bay Convention Centre, the Runaway Bay housing project, and Kingston airport highway. These projects are the evidence of the lasting China-Jamaica friendship."

There has also been cooperation in the fields of culture, education, sports and health. "This year, Chongqing Singing and Dancing Troupe, Jiangsu Puppet troupe successfully visited Jamaica. The Jamaican musicians also successfully introduce reggae music to Chinese people. Around 150 Jamaican students studied in China thanks to the Chinese government scholarship. Around 430 Jamaican government official and technicians were trained in China. Many Jamaican students now study Chinese language in Confucius Institute in University of the West Indies," he said.

Senator A.J. Nicholson, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, acknowledged that it was an honour and pleasure to celebrate the collaboration between the countries and noted the success of the relationship.

"It was then a challenging time globally," said Nicholson in reference to 1979, but Jamaica and China forged ahead.

"We are proud of the fact that we were the first in the region to form relations with China," he said. Over the decades, Jamaica has helped with China's sports development and education through English-speaking training. Nicholson noted that China has also been a supportive friend.

"Simply put, you will know your friends during the most difficult times," Nicholson said adding, "from every vantage point, it has been a successful relationship."

Qingdian noted that he is confident that Jamaica and China's relationship will grow further.

Guests included Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Dr Christopher Tufton and wife, Naedene Tufton; Zhongdong Tang, regional director, Jamaica Regional Management Centre - China Harbour Engineering Company Limited; Anthony Hylton, minister of industry, investment and commerce, and his wife, Yodit Getachew-Hylton; Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites, Jamaica Defence Force's Chief of Defence Staff Major General Antony Anderson; Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington, Oswald Harding and his wife, Marigold Harding, custos of St Andrew.