Most Honourable Howard Cooke, the Governor General and Lady Cooke,

　　Hon. Robert Pickersgill, Minister of Transport and Works,

　　Hon. Burchell Whiteman, Minister of Information,

　　Hon. Dean Peart, Minister of Land and Environment,

　　Mr. Lin Wenken, Leader of the Visiting Chinese Delegation from the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council,

　　Most Honourable Edward Seaga, Leader of the Opposition,

　　Hon. Marshall Burnett, President of the Senate and Mr. Burnett,

　　His WorshipDesmond McKenzie,Mayor of Kingston and Mrs. McKenzie,

　　Colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps, the International Seabed Authority and the Consular Corps,

　　Leaders of the Chinese Community,

　　Ladies and Gentlemen,

　　It gives us great pleasure to host the reception this evening in celebration of the 55th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. First of all, I would like to express our warm welcome to all the distinguished guests for your gracious presence.

　　Today’s reception is somewhat special by a happy coincidence: tomorrow is the traditional Chinese Moon Festival. For generations, the Chinese people have been impelled by an inborn homesickness to return home and reunite with their families on this particular day. Those, who can’t join their families, would be very upset. On seeing a clear round moon shedding her silver light outside the windows like today, they would recite the famous lines from an 8th Century Chinese poet: Eyes raised, I see the moon so bight, Head bent, in homesickness I’m so drowned.

　　Frankly speaking, that is not our case in Kingston. My wife and I have got so many friends joining us tonight so that we are spared of our homesickness.

　　Chinais an ancient civilization with over 5,000 years of history. She is also a young nation. We are proud of our ancient past, but we take greater pride in our achievements today. In the 55 years, and especially over the 25 years of reform and opening up, dramatic changes have taken place in the country. Since 1979, the year when the reform started, China has maintained an average annual growth rate of 9.4%. People’s living standards have been raised by a big margin. Last year, the country’s GDP exceeded 1.4 trillion USD, 8.5 times that of 25 years ago.

　　In the first half of this year, China’s GDP increased by 9.7%. From January to July, the import and export volume reached 623.1 billion USD, an increase of 38% over the same period of 2003. It is expected that the foreign trade volume will reach a new record high of 1 trillion USD by the end of this year, making China the third largest trading nation in the world. The Chinese Government has full confidence in leading the Chinese people in the efforts to realize the grand objective of building a well-off society in a comprehensive way.

　　Our athletes also did very well. They gave us a jubilant summer by bringing home 32 golds, 17 silvers and 14 bronzes from Athens. The steadiness and sportsmanship they displayed have proved that they will give us a better performance in the next Olympic Games which will be held in 2008 in Beijing. Maybe it’s a bit too early, but I still wish to say to you all: Welcome to Beijing.

　　China has all along pursued the independent foreign policy of peace, and actively engaged in the cause of safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. China will continue to play an active role in the building of a peaceful and prosperous world for the whole mankind. The development and prosperity of China will make it capable to contribute more to this lofty cause.

　　This year has also witnessed rapid progress in the bilateral relations between China and Jamaica in extensive areas. An exchange of high-level visits, especially Minister Knight’s visit to China early this year, has greatly strengthened the friendly ties between our two countries. With Jamaica as China’s largest trading partner in CARICOM, and with China’s active and vibrant cooperation program in place in the fields of utilities, education, sports, culture, etc., the Sino-Jamaican relations have reached new heights. Very soon, Jamaica will establish its Embassy in Beijing as a result of these relations. Right now the two countries are preparing for the co-sponsorship of the China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum to be held in Kingston next February. Going along with all these, the cooperation between China and Jamaica on the international arena has also been in excellent shape. Here I wish to give our high appreciation to the Jamaican Government’s strong support to the One-China policy.

　　I also wish to take this opportunity to extend my cordial greetings and best wishes to the Chinese community of Jamaica who has been here for 150 years. I appreciate their outstanding service to the nation building of Jamaica and thank them for their contribution to promote friendly relations between China and Jamaica.

　　The Chinese community is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first arrival of Chinese in Jamaica. The climax of the celebration of this memorable event is the visit to Jamaica of the Chinese Acrobatic Troupe. Here I wish to thank Mr. Li Wenken for leading this troupe to visit Jamaica, and give performances to our distinguished guests tonight tight after the reception.

　　Ladies and Gentlemen,

　　I should on this occasion make special mention of Hurricane Ivan, which has caused devastation to Jamaica and many of its victims. On behalf of my Government, I’d like to extend our deep sympathy to the Government and people of Jamaica. I hope that my Government’s donation of US $100,000 cash can help Jamaica in some way. It is my firm conviction that the Jamaican people will soon recover from the disaster and they will make their homeland even more beautiful.

　　Now, I’d like to invite you to join me in a toast,

　　To the continuous development of China,

　　To a prosperous and strong Jamaica,

　　To the friendship between China and Jamaica,

　　To the health of everyone present tonight.

　　Cheers!