KINGSTON, Jamaica – More than 200 Jamaicans have benefited from scholarships and courses offered by the Government of China this year.

“I am very happy to note that since the beginning of the year, more than 200 persons have benefited from these opportunities for training,” Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, said.

She was speaking at a reception held on Sunday at the AC Hotel, Kingston, to mark the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Senator Johnson Smith said that the study programmes also created opportunities for more Chinese to learn about Jamaican people and culture.

“As China is a priority market for the Ministry of Tourism, we are hopeful that the increased people-to-people contact will provide the platform for an expansion in Chinese interest and, consequently, visits to Jamaica,” she said, noting that it will lead to the continued strengthening of the relationship between the two countries.

Senator Johnson Smith said that Jamaica is also grateful for the assistance provided by the Government of China for the construction of the Western Children and Adolescent Hospital on the grounds of the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay.

“As the Government of Jamaica continues its efforts to improve and modernise the health sector, the support of the People’s Republic of China provides much-needed impetus to that end,” she added.

Referring to Vision 2030, Jamaica’s National Development Plan, which aims to make ‘Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business’, Senator Johnson Smith said that the support of Jamaica’s bilateral and multilateral partners is critical.

“We are grateful for the unwavering assistance and support of the Government of the People’s Republic China at all levels and are confident that the Jamaica-China Strategic Partnership will continue to grow from strength to strength,” she added.

– JIS