8 September 2022
Distinguished Professor Lincoln Edwards, the President of Northern Caribbean University,
Distinguished guests,
Dear professors, students and friends,
Wah Gwaan!
It is my great pleasure to attend the awarding ceremony today at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU), the first university I have ever visited outside Kingston. This speech is also my first speech speaking in English at a Jamaican university. First, please allow me, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Jamaica, to extend warm congratulations to all the students receiving the scholarship today. My sincere appreciation also goes to the NCU for its support to the implementation of the “Chinese Ambassador’s Scholarship”.
NCU is a famous private university in Jamaica with a long-lasting history and has been cultivating numerous outstanding talents for Jamaica who have made positive contributions to Jamaica’s socioeconomic development. In 2019, the Chinese Embassy worked together with the NCU to give “Chinese Ambassador’s Scholarship” to eligible students for the first time. In the past 4 years, more than 20 outstanding students have been closer to their dreams and the values they pursue with the help of the scholarship. It also sowed the seeds of hope for future development of China-Jamaica relations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping once said, “youth gives rise to infinite hope, and young people are the creators of a bright future”. The young people represent the hope of a country, the pillars of a nation. All of you who are here today are the future of Jamaica. On your shoulder is the important mission of bringing prosperity to your country and building a community with a shared future for mankind together with China. China attaches great importance to educational cooperation and people-to-people exchanges with Jamaica. We will continue to support more Jamaican youths, through programs such as Chinese Government Scholarship and “Chinese Ambassador’s Scholarship”, to play their role as bridges and bonds, and act as the ambassadors for bilateral people-to-people exchanges, the inheritors of China-Jamaica friendship and the promoters of China-Jamaica relations.
Jamaica was the first country in the Caribbean region to establish strategic partnership with China. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations. In the past 50 years, under strategic guidance of the leaders of our two countries, bilateral relations have yielded steady and healthy development and bilateral practical cooperation has brought tangible benefits to our two countries and peoples. Last September, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), which is highly synergetic to Jamaica’s development strategy and goals. There is huge potential for future China-Jamaica cooperation. I hope all of you could be devoted to your studies and seize the opportunities to make your own contributions to the implementation of GDI in Jamaica and promoting the China-Jamaica strategic partnership to a new level while realizing your own dream.
Under the strong leadership of the CPC, China has become world’s second largest economy with great prospect in the future. Embracing China today means embracing the future. I hope all of you could learn some Chinese and know more about China and the CPC, which will render you better equipped in your future endeavour at global arena.
Lastly, I would like to, once again, congratulate the students receiving the scholarship today. And I wish all of you a successful journey pursuing your dreams and creating shining chapters of your life! Big up！
Thank you all!