Your Excellency, Tian Qi, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China
Colleague Ministers,
Dr. Peter Phillips, Leader of the Opposition
President of the Senate, the Honourable Tom-Tavares Finson
Speaker of the House, the Honourable Pearnel Charles
Former Governor-General Sir Kenneth Hall and Lady Hall
Former Prime Ministers the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller and Mr. Bruce Golding
Senior Public Officials
Your Excellencies, Heads of Mission
Other Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Members of the Consular Corps
Members of the Chinese Community
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen all
Wăn-shăn-hăo! (Good evening!)
Tomorrow, 1stOctober 2019 will mark 70 years since Chairman Mao proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China in Tiananmen Square. Excellency, I am truly delighted to join in this evening’s commemorative event and bring warm greetings and heartiest congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica.
National Day celebrations are always special, but this 70th Anniversary bears particular significance to the 1.3 billion people of China. It presents the people of China, and indeed the world, with an opportunity to reflect on and to showcase China’s extraordinary journey, its challenges, achievements and its aspirations for the next decades.
To say that the People’s Republic of China has made strides in its development since opening up to the outside world would certainly be an understatement. Very few countries can claim to have achieved the levels of outstanding growth recorded by some of China’s provinces, and the country as a whole.
Indeed, since its founding, the People’s Republic of China has made an indelible mark on almost every sphere of human endeavour, including in the arts, medicine, education, economics, engineering, science and technology, to name a few.
As a result, the world is increasingly looking to China as a key driver of global economic development, and a partner in addressing common challenges.
In the current global environment, these are certainly not the easiest of tasks. However, with the resilience and indomitable spirit that is characteristic of the Chinese people, and the strategic and wise guidance demonstrated by China’s leaders, its national ambitions are being realised.
Marcus Garvey made the profound statement that “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots”. Of course, he would not have realized then how much that philosophical truth would have been reflected in the way in which the Chinese people have created a society, economy and country whose roots are firmly embedded in their rich history and culture. That strong foundation will undoubtedly continue to strengthen its current status and sustain its upward thrust for growth and productivity.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
At this time of celebration, I welcome the opportunity to also reflect on the 47 year old special relationship between Jamaica and China. Certainly, Jamaica’s connections with China go a long way back. Since the arrival of the first Chinese settlers, one hundred and sixty-five years ago, Chinese presence and culture, including certain culinary traditions, have become a part of the fabric of Jamaica. Chinese participation in the evolution of Jamaica’s development long precedes the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972 and is truly reflected in our national motto “Out of Many, One People”.
At the inter-governmental level, against the background of our early and longstanding commitment to the “One China Policy”, Jamaica has enjoyed excellent collaboration with China that has been underpinned by a philosophy of mutual respect and shared gains. Our friendship has blossomed and continues to bear fruit through vibrant cooperation activities that span a gamut of national endeavour.
In the true spirit of solidarity, win-win cooperation and a commitment to shared prosperity and development, Jamaica and China pursed extensive cooperation activities this year in several areas.
In education the Chinese government awarded a total of 13 scholarships to our young people and offered some 50 seminars for the 2019/2020 academic period. These actions have contributed significantly to Jamaica’s human resource capacity building efforts.
In health; we are truly grateful for the Bright Journey Ophthalmic Mission that visited Jamaica in April this year and conducted free of cost, some 515 cataract surgeries to improve the vision and well-being of our people. I am pleased to let you know that we intend to extend this kind of success through the creation of an MOU on Cooperation in Health.
In sport, the Jamaica China Technical Assistance Sport Coaching Project entered its 2nd year of implementation, and I am pleased to share that this summer, a 138-member delegation comprising Jamaican coaches and athletes visited China to further develop their skills in their respective disciplines. If you think Jamaica was stopping at bobsleigh or ice hockey, watch out world here come……!
In the area of infrastructure, we have completed numerous major projects, most notably highways in rural areas and upgraded roadways in the corporate area. You will agree, I am sure, that these projects have really transformed travel and facilitated the ease with which we can travel across the island, particularly to the northern and western parishes.
Other projects are in train – such as the Western Jamaica Children’s Hospital and our soon to be handed-over Foreign Ministry building on the Kingston waterfront. Some projects are about nearly ready for launching such as the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project, which will revolutionise growth and development particularly in the eastern parishes of St. Thomas and Portland.
A significant area of bilateral engagement this year was also the signing of the Belt and Road Memorandum of Understanding. Within that framework our two countries will forge further bonds based on a new model of international development cooperation, promoting broad and inclusive ‘connectivity’.
As we build out the implementation process for the Belt and Road Initiative, we are clear in our mutual commitment to win-win results, and will advance the priorities of the Government of Jamaica through a responsible and strategic partnership that will yield tangible benefits to the Jamaican people.
These are only some of the deliverables of 2019, and we are confident that the Jamaica/China partnership will continue to flourish in the years ahead.
In early November, Prime Minister Andrew Holness will lead Jamaica’s delegation to the China International Import Exhibition in Shanghai, where Jamaica has been designated as a Guest Country of Honour, of which they are only five. We welcome and appreciate this special privileged status, and will use this opportunity to showcase Jamaica’s culture and tourism product, increase investment in Jamaica and strengthen trade and commercial ties. Already we are expanding exports to China, particularly with the recent signing of the Protocol on the Importation of Frozen Lobster from Jamaica, by China.
This Visit to China will also be an occasion to reinforce our partnership and elevate our relations to an even higher level.
Ambassador Tian
It has been just over a year since you assumed your ambassadorial role in Jamaica, and your impact has certainly been felt through your strong commitment to furthering our on-going bilateral engagement at multiple levels. Today, therefore, we convey our deep appreciation to you for the hard work you do for both your country, and for the people of Jamaica.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On this spectacular occasion, please join me in raising your glasses in a Toast in celebration of the platinum anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, to the sustained prosperity of the people of China and to the continued strong bonds of friendship between Jamaica and China!
Gan-bei! Cheers!
