Chinese people have always had the dream of the Great Harmony of all, and long for a beautiful society with noble virtue, material plenty, equality and equity.

Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping pushed forward the idea of the Chinese dream, which means the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It includes the country’s prosperity and people’s happiness.

The Chinese Government has two main goals. One is that when the Communist Party of China celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2021, China will be a moderately prosperous society. The other is that when the People’s Republic of China celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2049, China will be a prosperous, democratic, civilised and harmonious socialist modern country.

Pursuing the Chinese dream is conducive to realising the world dream of durable peace and common prosperity. China cannot develop itself in isolation from the rest of the world, and global prosperity and stability cannot be maintained without China.

The Chinese dream includes close involvement with world peace and development. China continues to be committed to development which will promote our co-operation with the international community to realise the world dream of durable peace and common prosperity.

His Excelleny Xi Jinping, president of the People’s Republic of China, visited Trinidad and Tobago from May 31, the first time that a president of China has visited the Caribbean. During his visit, President Xi held bilateral meetings with the leaders of Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, which established diplomatic relations with China.

It was a historic milestone for China/Caribbean relations, and ushered in a new era of the friendly relations between China, the Caribbean and Jamaica.

China and Jamaica are good friends and good partners. We have a long history of friendly exchanges with Jamaica. The first group of Chinese people came to Jamaica 150 years ago and have successfully become part of Jamaica’s diversified society and culture.

When I walk in the park, Jamaicans always smile at me and call me “Mr Chin”. Usain Bolt, who won three gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, has become a hero to the Chinese people. More and more Chinese are liking reggae music, rum and Blue Mountain coffee.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, no matter how the international situation changes, the Jamaican Government always supports the One China policy, while China always supports Jamaica’s Independence, nation-building and economic development.

Now is the golden age of the development of relations between China and Jamaica. Both countries held various functions to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year.

In recent years, several Chinese leaders have visited Jamaica, while many Jamaican ministers have visited China. Our bilateral economic co-operation has proved fruitful. China has become Jamaica’s fourth largest trade partner since 2009 and Chinese companies have actively invested in Jamaica.

This has not only stimulated the Jamaican economy, it has also created thousands of job opportunities for the Jamaican people. The exchanges and co-operation in the fields of culture, education and human resources have deepened.

The Chongqing Singing and Dancing Troupe, and the Jiangsu Puppet troupe visited Jamaica last year. Many Jamaican Government officials and technicians were trained in China. The Confucius Centre has trained many Jamaican students who are now able to speak Chinese and who also have knowledge of Chinese culture. They have become goodwill ambassadors of our two countries.

Now, the relationship between China and Jamaica stands on the new starting point of history and faces major opportunities. China would like to enhance the mutual trust, further deepen the economic and trade co-operation, and strengthen human exchange. We would like to work with Jamaica to explore potentials in the field of agriculture, tourism, renewable energy and push the bilateral relations to a new level.

I think that the Jamaican people also have their own dream like the Chinese people. I have worked for more than two years in Jamaica, and the beautiful landscape, the simple and happy people, the diversified culture all impress me so much.

I firmly believe that if all Jamaican people work hard together, they can realise their dreams in this beautiful island. China will alway stand together with Jamaica, hand-in-hand, shoulder-to-shoulder and heart-to-heart.

— Zheng Qingdian is the Chinese ambassador to Jamaica