Address at Jamaica China Friendship Association Banquet to Celebrate the 69th Anniversary of the Founding of
the People's Republic of China
by H.E. Mr. TIAN QI
Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica
(October 28, 2018, Kingston, Jamaica)
Your Excellency Governor-General the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen,
The Most Honourable Sir Kenneth Hall and Lady Hall,
The Honourable Delroy Chuck, Minister of Justice,
Mrs. Irena Cousins, President of Jamaica China Friendship Association,
Distinguished Guests,
Members of the Association,
Representatives of Jamaican Chinese Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bredrin and Sistren,
Wagwan and Good evening!
It's my great pleasure to join so many friends in the celebration this evening. At this glorious moment, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Jamaica China Friendship Association for hosting this banquet and warm welcome to all our fellow Chinese and Jamaican friends present here.
This year marks the 69th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China and the 40th Anniversary of the Reform and Opening-up of China. Over the past several decades, China has successfully opened up a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics which suits its own national reality. China now stands as the world's second largest economy. China's economy has seen a major shift from rapid growth to high-quality development with internal consumption as the new driver, contributing 60% to economic growth. China's economy will absolutely stay on the right track of steady and sound development.
Dear Friends,
China and Jamaica are important partners in production capacity cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative. Our Friendly Partnership for Common Development has achieved rapid development. 16 major Chinese enterprises have invested over 1.9 billion US$, completed nearly 40 projects and created 10,000 jobs. 30 more projects are also underway which will create thousands more jobs. In April, Jamaica began exporting live lobsters to China. Jamaica's participation in the first ever China International Import Expo in coming November will boost Jamaican export to China. Over the past decade, China has offered over 2000 short-term training opportunities and scholarships for Jamaicans to study in China. This year alone, more than 300 Jamaicans have been invited to various short-term training courses in China.
2018 also marks the 46th Anniversary of China-Jamaica diplomatic relations and we have always noted that Jamaica was the first English speaking country in the Caribbean to recognize and uphold the one China policy. Jamaica China Friendship Association was formed just 4 years later in 1976 and we now celebrate your 42nd Anniversary with your stated objective of promoting people-to-people friendly relations between our two countries. Over the past 42 years, the Association has achieved great success in promoting high level visits, mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation, people-to-people friendship and cultural exchanges. On this occasion, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Jamaica China Friendship Association for your tremendous efforts and contributions to enhance China-Jamaica friendship. I'm confident that, with the joint effort of our two governments and two peoples, and with the support of the Association, China-Jamaica friendship will progress further and bear more fruits.
In closing, I'd like to propose a toast,
To the health of all our friends present here tonight,
To the continuous development of Jamaica China Friendship Association,
To the long-lasting and consolidated China-Jamaica friendship,
Cheers!