The Honourable Alando Terrelonge, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade,

The Honourable Delroy Chuck, Minister of Justice, Legal and Constitutional Affairs,

The Hon. Delano Seiveright, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce,

The Most Honourable Bruce Golding, former Prime Minister,

Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman, Chief of Defense Staff of the Jamaica Defense Force,

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Good evening. A warm welcome to you all.

On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Jamaica and the Chinese Permanent Mission to the International Seabed Authority, I would like to thank you all for gracing today’s event.

This year marks the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Over the past 76 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people successfully blazed a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Throughout the past years, President Xi Jinping put forward the concept of targeted poverty alleviation and the new development philosophy. Today China has eliminated absolute poverty and completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

The Chinese people are advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. Chinese modernization is characterized by features that are unique to the Chinese context. It is the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature, and of peaceful development.

In 2025, China secured steady, healthy economic growth. In the first six months, China’s GDP rose by 5.3% year on year. Low-carbon development is being pursued. New quality productive forces are being fostered. The output of new energy vehicle, automotive lithium-ion battery and solar panel rose rapidly. The emergence of DeepSeek ushered in a new era for AI application. 

China also sustained sound momentum in its high-standard opening-up. From January to August, China’s foreign trade in goods rose to around 4.16 trillion US dollars. China’s export in goods rose to around 2.48 trillion US dollars. More than 36,000 foreign-invested businesses were set up in China. Over 38 million inbound visits were made by foreign nationals to China, up by over 30%. Visa-free visits to China more than doubled in 2024. And from 1 June 2025, citizens from five Latin American countries can enter China visa-free and stay in China for up to 30 days.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The victory of the war was a historic turning point for the Chinese nation. With the victory, the Chinese nation emerged from the grave crises in modern times and embarked on the journey toward great rejuvenation. It represented the Chinese people’s major contributions to saving human civilization and safeguarding world peace. The Chinese people in and of Jamaica selflessly contributed to China’s victory and national salvation. They drummed up over 200 thousand pounds of donations, and set up Jamaica Salvation Association of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and Jamaica Branch of Chinese Association for Aviation Promotion. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I would like to pay tribute to all the Chinese people in and of Jamaica.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, which is an integral part of the fruits of the victory of the Second World War and the postwar international order. I would like to emphasize that Taiwan’s return to China also represents an undeniable outcome of the World Anti-Fascist War. The UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 adopted in 1971, unequivocally recognizes the People’s Republic of China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. Its authority and sanctity shall not be defied in any case.

To uphold our original commitment to peaceful coexistence, advance in line with the trend of history, and thrive in keeping pace with the times, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative earlier this month, with five core concepts of sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centered approach and focus on taking real actions. It aims for a more just and equitable global governance system. We are glad to see that Jamaica has joined the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative. China will redouble its efforts with Jamaica and other countries to deliver the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative. Together we can build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

This year marks the 29th anniversary of China’s accession to UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its accession to the International Seabed Authority (ISA). China has consistently and strictly fulfilled its obligations under UNCLOS, fully supported the ISA’s work, and made tangible contributions in areas such as environmental protection, scientific research and capacity building for a more just, equitable, inclusive and transparent deep-sea governance system. In the spirit of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefits, China will continue to closely coordinate with the ISA Secretariat and other member states to effectively implement UNCLOS, improve the international seabed regime, and promote sustainable development of seabed resources. China will continue to support Jamaica and other developing countries in participating in international seabed affairs and in building their capacities for the shared benefits of humanity.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

This year also marks the 53rd anniversary of China-Jamaica diplomatic relations. I am greatly honoured to be appointed the 17th Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica. Jamaica is among the first group of Caribbean countries to establish diplomatic relations with China. When Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, visited China in 2019, Jamaica became the first Caribbean country that established a strategic partnership with China, and the first country in the Western Hemisphere that signed a Belt and Road cooperation plan with China.

Currently, the China-Jamaica relationship is moving forward in sound momentum. We are strengthening all levels of exchanges and pragmatic cooperation. Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, attended the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in China. In the forum, President Xi Jinping announced the five programs of solidarity, development, civilization, peace and people-to-people connectivity to build a China-LAC community with a shared future. The Honourable Delroy Chuck, Minister of Justice of Jamaica, signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong. The Honourable Minister Chuck is present today. Your Excellency, thank you very much for your important contribution.

We are delivering fruitful outcomes in our practical cooperation. Projects such as the North-South Highway and the Chinese Garden in the Hope Gardens made a marked contribution to Jamaica’s economy and the local people’s daily life. They enhanced the landscape of nature and reshaped the course of development. The high-quality Belt and Road cooperation brought more tangible benefits to the local people’s livelihood. Employment has been increased, income raised, and connectivity expanded.

We are bringing together our peoples even closer. The first “Chinese Bridge” Chinese language contest after COVID-19 was successfully hosted in the Confucius Institute of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. The first Dragon Boat Festival was successfully launched in Kingston Harbour. By the way, warm congratulations to the Jamaican team on winning a historic bronze medal in the fourth Bahamas Chinese Dragon Boat Festival. And hearty congratulations to Jamaican athletes for their excellent performance in the recent World Athletics Championship in Tokyo.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

Jamaica has successfully wrapped up the general election, and the new administration has been sworn into office. The stage for new chapters in China-Jamaica relations is set. China stands ready to work with the new Government of Jamaica to consolidate political mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and strengthen coordination on international and regional affairs. China will work with Jamaica and other LAC countries to jointly implement the outcomes of the China-CELAC Forum. China will work even harder with Jamaica to steer the bilateral relations toward more shared benefits and win-win results, and elevate China-Jamaica strategic partnership to a new height.

To conclude, I would like to propose a toast:

To the health and happiness of all distinguished guests,

To the peace and prosperity of China and Jamaica,

To the friendship and cooperation between China and Jamaica.

Cheers!