On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, I wish to extend, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Jamaica, the best wishes and festive greetings to the Jamaican Chinese communities, the overseas Chinese nationals and the Chinese companies in Jamaica.

Sixty years ago, the Chinese people won independence and liberation after a prolonged hard struggle and became masters of the New China. Thirty years ago, the Chinese people started the historic journey of reform, opening up and socialist modernization. Henceforth, the Chinese society has shown unprecedented vigor and creativity, resulting in an average annual GDP growth at 9.8% and per-capita net income at 7%. China’s development is for the people, by the people and its benefits shared among the people. Bearing in mind the national conditions, China will continue its path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, focus on economic development, unswervingly pursue reform and opening up, and promote all-round progress in the economic, political, cultural, social and environmental fields. China is committed to the path of peaceful development and the win-win strategy of opening up. A more developed China will make greater contribution and bring more opportunities to the world.

2009 marks a special year for the “friendly partnership for common development” between China and Jamaica. The successful visit of the Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping has greatly boosted the mutual political trust, economic and trade cooperation, and humanities exchange between our countries, and set up a solid foundation for the comprehensive cooperation in the future. As an old Chinese saying goes, “Long distance never separates close friends and true neighbors don’t necessarily live next door”. China and Jamaica are geographically far apart and have different social and cultural traditions, but the peoples have expressed an earnest wish to enhance our friendship. I believe China and Jamaica will work more closely to push forward our bilateral relations and strengthen our coordination and cooperation in the international affairs.

The country-to-country relations can not leave the people-to-people exchanges. I must pay special tribute to the Chinese communities who have built friendship and lived in harmony with the local people, and made indispensable contributions to the economic and social development of Jamaica. Although living far from ancestral home, they follow with great interest the development and changes of their homeland, gratified at the well-to-do life of their Chinese compatriots while worried about their suffering from natural disasters. I hope all Chinese in Jamaica will carry forward the fine Chinese culture and traditional virtues, reveal the spirit of diligence, bravery, intelligence and self-improvement, and make more contributions to a better Jamaica and to the everlasting and fulfilling friendship between China and Jamaica and their great peoples.

May you all enjoy greater success in the future endeavors!

May China and Jamaica enjoy prosperity and their peoples well-being!

Chen Jinghua

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica