Both the Government and the Opposition yesterday welcomed the launch of the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Jamaica (ACEJ), a 16-member non-profit body aimed at increasing cooperation with local companies and institutions.

President of the ACEJ, Dr Hu Zhimin said that the body — which carries the motto “Growth through Alliance, Connectivity and Co-operation” — was formed in July, 2017, and has a combined goal of “forging partnerships and enhancing strategic alliances with Jamaican institutions and enterprises”.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke, who represented Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the launch at Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston, noted that Jamaica now enjoys a “deep and multidimensional relationship with China” after some 47 years of friendship.

He noted that the friendship dates back to 1972, when Jamaica took a “principled position” in adopting the one-China policy, which has been maintained by consecutive administrations since then.

“And today, we enjoy a multidimensional relationship that spans economic co-operation, that spans investment, that spans financing and cultural exchanges, and other facets of life,” Dr Clarke said.

He noted that over 100 students at The University of the West Indies’ Mona Campus enroll each year in a one-year course in Mandarin (standard literary and official form of Chinese), to learn how to write and converse in Chinese.

Clarke also recalled that in terms of Jamaica’s $2-trillion total debt, over $79 billion, or approximately four per cent, was owed to China, noting that China represents a very important source of bilateral financing for Jamaica.

“But, it goes beyond bilateral loans. Chinese funds have been invested in Jamaica over a decade now, and is doing so to a greater and greater degree,” he added.

He also noted that the benefits from the bilateral relationship, including infrastructural improvement to the Palisadoes shoreline project, as well as similar support through the Jamaica Development Infrastructural Programme (JIDP) and the Major Infrastructural Development Programme, under successive governments.

Leader of the Oppoaition, Dr Peter Phillips noted that the relationship with the People’s Republic of China was considered controversial when it was taken in 1972, six years before the United States took a similar step. However, he noted that the global environment has since changed, opening the way for increased cooperation between both countries in economic and social matters.

“We should never, ever believe that a small size is a constraint to independent action,” Dr. Phillips stated.

He noted, however, that in combining the interests of both countries, it should be acknowledged that there are obvious challenges in managing the relationship, so that both countries recognise that each is pursuing defined interests while seeking mutual benefits for each other.

China’s ambassador to Jamaica, Tian Qi, expressed his pleasure with the launch, and described the occasion as a “special moment”, and “both a symbolic and functional indicator of the strong friendship between China and Jamaica”.

He noted that the ACEJ members have invested more than US$2 billion in the Jamaican economy, and completed almost 50 projects, creating more than 10,000 jobs.

“Additionally, it is estimated that thousands more will be employed in the near future,” the ambassador added.

He said that the timely launch of the ACEJ was not only a testament to the strength and depth of China-Jamaica relations, but is also a promising indication of greater development to come in the future.

Dr Hu said that the Chinese companies continue to increase and diversify their investments in the region, including Jamaica.

“In fact, over the last few years Chinese enterprises have invested over US $3 billion in Jamaica,” she stated.

She noted that the projects included the north-south Highway 2000, construction of the new Grace Kennedy headquarters, and construction of the modern, Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade building, both in downtown Kingston, as well as the construction of several hotels, the production of sugar and bauxite mining, among others interests.

Messages were also heard from former ambassador to China, Ralph Thomas and Dr Warren Blake, president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association. Entertainment was provided by drummer Jessie Golding, violinist Dr Jessica Yap, and students from the China Goodwill Infant School. The vote of thanks was moved by general manager of Sinopharm, Zheng Huanming. MC was Fae Ellington

The 16 Chinese companies which form the ACEJ are: China Harbour Engineering Company, Huawei Technologies Jamaica, JISCO Alpart Jamaica, China Sinopharm International Corporation, Pan Caribbean Sugar Company, BYD Construction Ltd, China Development Bank, China National Complete Plant Import & Export Corporation Ltd, CZICC Caribbean Ltd, Hebei Construction Group, Jiangsu Jiangdu Construction Group, Nuctech Company Limited, Powerchina International Group Ltd, ZDA Construction Ltd, ZTE Corporation, and Qingjian (Jamaica) Construction Company Ltd.