（7:30pm, Wednesday, October 26th，2022）
Hon. Leslie CAMPBELL, State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade,
Councillor Winston ENNIS, the Deputy Mayor of Kingston, on behalf of the Mayor of Kingston,
Ambassador Sheila Sealy MONTEITH, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade,
Ms. Sancia Bennett TEMPLER, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce,
Ms. Diane EDWARDS, President of JAMPRO,
Ms. Barbara SCOTT, Deputy Director General of PIOJ, on behalf of the Director General of PIOJ,
Mr. CAI Xianjin, Director-General of Shandong Provincial Foreign Affairs Office,
Senators, MPs, presidents, CEOs, representatives from municipal governments of Shandong province, friends from schools, enterprises and the press,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good Evening!
And Good Morning, friends from Shandong province.
As one of the organizers of China (Shandong)- Jamaica Investment Promotion Conference, first, please allow me, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Jamaica, to extend my warmest welcome and sincere gratitude to all the guests, sitting here and joining us virtually, for taking part in this event.
China’s Shandong province is my beautiful hometown. Those on the other side of the screen are my old friends and all who are in this room are my new friends. Today is a chance for friends, old and new, to meet together. There is a popular hashtag for my hometown, “Friendly Shandong”, which shows the hospitality of the people. In the past 5 months since I arrived in Jamaica, I have been impressed for numerous times by the friendliness of Jamaican people. It is my sincere hope that people from Jamaica and Shandong could become good friends and partners who visit each other frequently. As Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica, I wish to build a bridge for both sides to conduct cooperation and enhance friendship.
T his year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic relations between China and Jamaica. China (Shandong)- Jamaica Investment Promotion Conference is also one of the main events celebrating the 50th anniversary, with special meaning. It is also one important measure introduced by Shandong province to implement the Global Development Initiative proposed by president Xi Jinping and promote win-win cooperation between China and Caribbean countries.
Shandong province, with a large population and strong industries, enjoys its economic and cultural strengths in the eastern coastal area of China. Last year witnessed a total GDP of USD 1.31 trillion of Shandong province, ranking third among all provinces in China. In July this year, China-Caribbean Development Center was established, injecting strong impetus to China-Jamaica practical cooperation. The shining pearl on the Caribbean Sea, Jamaica, is an important shipping and airline hub, with abundant natural resources and convenient investment environment. Both sides could leverage its comparative strengths to create the effect of one plus one greater than two and achieve better development.
Shandong and Jamaica have a long-lasting cooperation history. In 2019, Shandong built ties of sister cities with Kingston, starting a new chapter of bilateral cooperation. During the pandemic, Yantai donated two vaccination vehicles to Jamaica, wining reputation across the country. On the opening ceremony of China-Caribbean Development Center, Yantai and Kingston signed the Action Plan of Friendly Cooperation Between City of Yantai and City of Kingston. Jinan university signed the MoU between the University of the Western Indies at Mona, Jamaica to promote cooperation exchange. All these lead to a conclusion that cooperation between Jamaica and Shandong province, on a solid foundation, meets its chance and has the talents’ support.
As is known to us that the past 40 years since the Reform and Opening up have witnessed world-renowned achievements. The experience lies not only in emphasis on infrastructure development, but also on industrial development through attracting investment. Today’s conference is our first acquaintance, merely marking a start of sharing experience, promoting projects and seeking common development. I truly wish this conference could set up new bridges for investment and cooperation between Shandong and Jamaica so as to explore new room for common development. Chinese Embassy in Jamaica is willing to provide help for such cooperation.
Lastly, I wish this conference a complete success.
Wish you every success in your work, good heath and good luck.
Thank you all.