Your Excellencies the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, the Prime Minister and Mr. Miller,

 

The Hon. Ministers,

 

Your Excellencies the Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke, the Former Governor General and Lady Cooke,

 

The Hon. Mrs. Syringa Marshall Burnett, President of the Senate and Mr. Burnett,

 

Senators and Members of the House of Representatives,

 

Members of Diplomatic Corps and Consular Corps,

 

Leaders of the Chinese Community,

 

Distinguished Guests,

 

Fellow Chinese,

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

What wonderful National Anthems of China and Jamaica sung by lovely kids in two languages from the local Chinese Benevolent Association! Let me thank the Association and those kids and their language and music instructors for their excellent performance.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to extend my warm welcome to all of you to attend this joyful occasion in celebration of the 57^th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, especially the Prime Minister of Jamaica and Mr. Miller, who are with us tonight in spite of their busy schedule, as well as Sir Howard and Lady Cooke, who have made a special trip to Kingston to attend this party. Their presence has greatly graced the occasion.  

 

This is an occasion we mark every year. But this year, it is special. As you already know, we celebrate the Chinese National Day in conjunction with my farewell party. So I also wish to thank you for giving my wife and me an opportunity to say goodbye to you all.

 

Since 1949, when the People's Republic was founded, and particularly since the country started the policy of reform and opening-up in 1978, China has shown the world remarkable changes with eye-catching achievements in every field. China's economy has grown steadily, its national strength has been enhanced considerably, and Chinese people's livelihood - culturally and materially - has improved significantly.

 

From 1978 to 2005, China's GDP increased over 10 folds from US$ 216.5 billion to US$ 2.23 trillion with an average growth rate of 9.6% per annum and currently ranks the No. 4 in the world; per capita GDP grew nearly 7 folds from US$ 226 to over US$ 1,700; total import and export volume increased 67 folds from US$ 20.6 billion to US$ 1.42 trillion, making China the 3rd largest trading country in the world; foreign reserves rose from US$ 167 million to US$ 818.9 billion; number of people living under the poverty line in the countryside dropped from 250 million to 23.65 million. On the whole, the Chinese people have reached a well-off standard of living.

 

Of course, we are fully aware of the fact that China's huge population, weak economic foundation, uneven development of its different regions, and the per capita GDP level ranking behind the 100^th place in the world means numerous problems, difficulties and challenges in our road of advance. China still has a long way to go before it realizes modernization and delivers a prosperous life to its people.

 

With the start of China's 11^th five-year plan (2006 - 2010) for economic and social development this year, China's economic and social outlook in the years ahead holds out bright prospects. Following the requirements of a scientific outlook on development, we will put people first and take development as the primary task in running the country and government. We will promote coordinated development in urban and rural areas and among different regions, facilitate balanced economic and social development and harmonious development of man and nature, and coordinate domestic development and opening-up so as to achieve comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Currently, China's relations with Jamaica have maintained a good momentum of all-round development, highlighted by enhanced political mutual trust, fruitful trade and economic cooperation, flourishing cultural and sports exchanges and close cooperation on international affairs.

 

In the political area, the strategic goal of "Friendly Partnership for Common Development", as agreed upon by both sides, has been steadily promoted. The newly established Jamaican Embassy in Beijing and my Embassy in Kingston have been complementing each other as a "working pair" on behalf of our respective countries, in our concerted efforts to deepen the Sino-Jamaican relations. The 3^rd round of Consultations between the Foreign Ministry of China and the ministries of foreign affairs of the Caribbean countries having diplomatic relations with China, including Jamaica, were successfully held in Beijing recently. The two sides agreed to strengthen political dialogue and consultations and cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

 

Our economic and trade cooperation has also enjoyed rapid and steady advancement. China has become Jamaica's 4^th largest trading partner and Jamaica continues to be China's largest trading partner in the English-speaking Caribbean region. According to Chinese statistics, trade volume between our two countries reached US $325.07 million in 2005. In the first seven months this year, the trade volume hit US$ 299.59 million, a 36.1% increase over the same period last year.

 

Furthermore, cooperative projects between the two sides have progressed smoothly. The Chinese workers in Trelawny are putting finishing touches to the Greenfield Cricket Stadium project, which is expected to be completed in coming mid November. The construction of the Sligovile Sports Complex in St. Catherine is in full swing and will be completed by next April. China Import & Export Bank has finished the assessment of the project of Montego Bay Convention Center in favor of the provision of concessional loan to the Jamaican side. There are also some other projects with negotiations still going on, and I am trying to give a final push before my departure from Jamaica, for instance, the rehabilitation of the Jamaican railway system and the construction of the Jamaican telemedicine network.

 

Some new areas of cooperation between China and Jamaica have been explored recently with more exchange programs carried out in the fields of media, culture, education, sports, justice and military.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television of China has signed a MOU with JIS on the exchange of radio and television programs of the two countries. 

 

Several Jamaican students have been awarded full Chinese government scholarship to study at Chinese universities, starting this month. China has sent two language instructors to teach Chinese language and culture at the University of the West Indies and the Chinese Benevolent Association. The Chinese side and the University of the Western Indies at Mona have been positively exploring the possibility of co-establishing a Confucious Institute in Jamaica, with a view to promoting the education of Chinese language and culture.

 

Invited by the Chinese Ministry of Culture, the world-famous Jamaican photographer Mr. Ray Chen will have his photo exhibition in Beijing in November.

 

In sports, apart from two Chinese table tennis coaches now training Jamaican national players in Kingston over the past two years, and Jamaica's former 100-meter dash gold medallist Mr. Quarrie giving lectures in China last year, the Chinese Athletics Association and Jamaican Amateur Athletics Association have signed a cooperation agreement on the exchange of coaches for the items of short distance dash and hurdles.

 

The military to militatry exchanges between the Jamaican Defence Force and the Chinese People's Liberation Army is another aspect of bilateral relations of our two countries. Following the visit to China by the Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin last year, the Chinese Military Delegation has recently visited Jamaica.  China will continue to provide military logistic goods gratis to Jamaica and accept officers from JDF to take various training courses in Chinese military academies.

 

As a follow-up move to the call at Port of Kingston by the Chinese ocean research vessel "DAYANG YIHAO" and the visit to Jamaica by the Chinese Oceanic Delegation last year, the State Oceanic Administration of China has agreed to provide assistance to the Jamaican side in the field of marine sciences including accepting the Jamaican scientists to do the research work aboard the above-mentioned Chinese research vessel in the near future.

 

The various sister-city or sister-province twinning relationship has witnessed fruitful exchanges and cooperation, the most recent progress being the signing of a MOU for China's Yiwu City to set up a trade center in Montego Bay.

 

Besides, in the international arena, China and Jamaica share identical or similar views on many world issues. The two countries have supported each other on some major issues and conducted fruitful dialogue and cooperation in the United Nations, G77 and China, WTO, WHO and other international organizations.

Both China and Jamaica belong to the developing countries. We share the same past of bitterness and we face the common goal to develop economy and improve people's livelihood. To develop a mutually beneficial relationship is in the interest of our two countries and peoples. There is every reason for us to believe that this upswing in our relations will continue to acquire further strength in the future.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

My wife and I are leaving this beautiful country soon. During our three and a half years of stay, we have traveled extensively around this country and made many good friends from the government, parliament, business and cultural sectors, circles from the military, the press and the academics, the diplomatic corps and the consular corps, and the Chinese community. We have been overwhelmed by Jamaica's enormously rich culture and the courtesy and warmth and genuine friendship.

 

While my wife and I are proud to witness the latest developments in our bilateral relations, which involve our own humble efforts, I wish to express our deep appreciation and sincere gratitude to our friends from all walks of life, including our friends from the diplomatic corps and consular corps. Your support, understanding, assistance and friendship have made our days in Jamaica the most professionally and personally rewarding experiences of our lives.

 

As we are to leave Jamaica, we find it very hard to say goodbye to so many dear friends like you present tonight. A historian once wrote: One friend in a lifetime is much; two are many; three are hardly possible. We are very fortunate to have made so many friends during our stay in Jamaica. My wife and I will go home with lasting memory of this beautiful country and the warm hospitality of its people.

 

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

I thank you once again for your friendship, thank you for your presence tonight.

 

In closing, please join me in a toast:

 

To the prosperity of China and Jamaica,

 

To the friendship between the Chinese and Jamaican peoples,

 

To the health of all the friends present tonight.

 

Cheers!