Your Excellency the Most Honourable Lady Cooke,

　　Your Honourable Aloun Assamba

　　Minister of Industry and Tourism

　　and Representative of the Most Honourable Prime Minister,

　　Your Honourable Maxine Henry-Wilson

　　Minister of Education, Youth and Culture,

　　Mr. Dalton Yap

　　President of the Chinese Benevolent Association,

　　Mr. Exley Ho

　　President of the Chinese Cultural Association,

　　Mr. Vincent Chang

　　President Emeritus of the Chinese Benevolent Association and

　　Chairman of the 150th Anniversary Committee,

　　Fellow Chinese,

　　Distinguished Guests,

　　Ladies and Gentlemen,

　　It is the great honour for my wife and me to join the Chinese community in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first arrival of the Chinese people in Jamaica, and in commemorating the achievements our forefathers and their descendents have made on this beautiful island.

　　Tonight we are celebrating this special moment with a distinguished fellow Chinese, the Most Honourable Lady Cooke. Her presence certainly graces such a happy occasion.

　　Ladies and Gentlemen, it is of great historical significance for us to gather here to pay our highest tribute to the 267 pioneers who set their foot on the land of Jamaica on July 30th, 1854.

　　Having experienced tremendous difficulties and hardships on their journey from home to Jamaica, they settled down as indentured labourers in the “land of wood and water”. They worked hard in their unbearable loneliness and bitterness in sugar cane plantations, and later when life was less tough for them, they moved to the villages, running convenience stores or engaged in other professions. Whatever they did, they maintained the fine traditions of the Chinese nation, characterized by hard-working, sincerity, integrity and professionalism. And these, combined with the good qualities of the people of other ethnic groups such as honesty, faithfulness, generosity and tolerance, have formed the characters of the Jamaican Chinese Community. This is also the most important legacy our forefathers have left for us.

　　Such a legacy has guided the Chinese in Jamaica all through their path of entrepreneurship. Today, the Chinese community has already become an integral part of the Jamaican society. They have not only created plenty of wealth for this country, but also produced among themselves many outstanding talents in the sectors of business, banking, politics, culture, education, the military, etc. The Chinese community in Jamaica has been one of the most active, cohesive and integrated overseas Chinese communities all over the world. “Out of many, one people.” No one could imagine a Jamaica without the Jamaican Chinese community.

　　As a matter of fact, I was always wondering at such a perfect harmony of the Chinese community and the other ethnic groups in this highly diversified society. I think this is the key point that Jamaica could mobilize all its resources to create its dynamic economic, cultural and social landscapes. On such a special occasion, please allow me to express my appreciation for the national unity and social progress of this great country.

　　Appreciation should also be extended to the Chinese community itself, for its valuable support to the continuous development of the friendly co-operative relations between China and Jamaica. Especially in the recent years, Sino-Jamaican cooperation has made big strides in many fields such as economy, technology, culture, education and sports. It is my belief that the Chinese community will serve as significant bridge in keeping this momentum and furthering the relationship between the two countries.

　　As the largest organization in the Jamaican Chinese community, the Chinese Benevolent Association of Jamaica, together with other sister organizations, have worked persistently for the well-being and interests of Jamaican Chinese. Moreover, for years, it has been giving full support to China’s modernization drive and the undertakings for the country’s peaceful re-unification, and spreading the Chinese culture. Here, I’d like to pay my respect to the leaders and members of the CBA.

　　Ladies and Gentlemen, fellow Chinese, I believe that by memorizing our forefathers, we will make the Chinese community more cohesive and united in its pursuit of a more prosperous Jamaica, a even better relationship between Jamaica and China.

　　Before conclusion, I’d like to tell you that in order to join the Chinese community in the celebration of this important event, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office under the State Council of the People’s Republic of China has presented to the CBA a pair of stone lions, which have already arrived in Kingston and will soon stand outside the CBA gate. And on top of that, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of China will send an acrobatic troupe to Jamaica in late September to join the Chinese community in the celebration.

　　Thank you.