Chinese government committed to strengthening Jamaica partnership

February 3, 2011•2 Minutes
RTC Director RTC Director

THE GOVERNMENT of China says it remains committed to strengthening the China-Jamaica partnership of common prosperity in the Chinese New Year, which begins today.

His Excellency Chen Jinghua, ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica, gave this assurance at the New Year’s reception at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Monday.

“The Chinese Embassy in Jamaica will remain relentless in its efforts to push forward the bilateral exchange and cooperation between the two nations. The China-Jamaica friendship will grow by leaps and bounds,” said Jinghua, as he sought support from his audience to bolster the China-Jamaica ties.

In disclosing that a classical Chinese garden would be added to Hope Gardens, he cited some initiatives already implemented to advance educational and economic cooperation between the two countries.

“A Confucius Institute, first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean, opened its door at UWI Mona campus. Chinese companies are reaching out to help Jamaica build the Montego Bay Convention Centre, an islandwide road network and several economic housing projects,” Ambassador Jinghua outlined.

Closer connections

According to the ambassador, Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s visit to his country in February, 2010, has significantly boosted the China-Jamaica relations. He hinted that the closer connections would become even more evident, with an increased presence and availability of Blue Mountain Coffee at Chinese bars and restaurants.

Other possibilities, he claimed, were being pursued to augment the alliance.

“A few months ago, I even bumped into a group of Chinese tourism professionals in Kingston exploring ways to attract more Chinese to come and enjoy holidays in Jamaica,” stated the ambassador.

The Chinese government has much cause to celebrate, as last year its economy grew by 10.3 per cent, making it the world’s second largest, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$6 trillion.

Ambassador Jinghua pointed out, however, that the country’s leadership, not being complacent about its rapid GDP growth, has designed an outline of the 12th five-year plan for China’s Economic and Social Development (2011-2015).