Vernon: Chinese community central to MoBay’s commercial, civic evolution
Published:Tuesday | February 17, 2026 | 12:09 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
During the Spring Festival celebration at the Pinnacle in Reading on Sunday, Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon said the story of the city’s economic rise cannot be told without highlighting the Chinese community .
Situating the Spring Festival not only within cultural celebration, but the broader narrative of Montego Bay’s development, Vernon said the community’s impact extended beyond commerce, citing its long-standing commitment to education, philanthropy and civic engagement as forces that strengthened Montego Bay’s social foundations.
“Their legacy is woven into the very fabric of Montego Bay,” Vernon said, reflecting on the 19th-century arrival of Chinese migrants, many of whom established themselves in the city’s emerging trade corridors.
He noted that the early Chinese settlers built grocery shops, bakeries and small enterprises that became anchors of neighbourhood life, not merely places of commerce, but centres of trust and community interaction. Over time, those modest businesses evolved into larger commercial ventures, helping to shape Montego Bay’s entrepreneurial culture and contributing to the growth of a resilient middle class.
“Their entrepreneurial spirit gave rise to thriving marketplaces,” Vernon said. “Their commitment to civic life strengthened our society.”
The mayor emphasised that the Chinese contribution extended beyond commerce. He cited dedication to education, discipline, and civic engagement as values that have influenced the city’s social structure. Cultural traditions, expressed through festivals, cuisine, and family-centred values, have blended with Jamaican customs, reinforcing Montego Bay’s identity as a city built on diversity and coexistence.
Vernon also pointed to the community’s recent response following Hurricane Melissa, describing it as a demonstration of integration in action rather than symbolic solidarity.
“When Hurricane Melissa struck and our city faced devastation, the Chinese community stood with us,” he said.
He acknowledged the mobilisation of resources, recovery support and international assistance, noting that partnerships extended beyond Jamaica to Chinese communities in China and Trinidad and Tobago.
Beyond heritage, the mayor framed the Spring Festival as a reminder of expanding economic opportunity.
He referenced sister-city relationships, investment partnerships and growing commercial ties that have contributed to infrastructure development and job creation. He urged deeper cooperation in education, technology and sustainable development to ensure that future growth remains inclusive.
“These ties are expanding bridges that bring tangible benefits to our citizens,” Vernon said.
Declaring the festival officially open, he described the celebration as both cultural affirmation and a symbol of the pathways Montego Bay continues to build through global partnership.