Dear Chinese compatriots in Jamaica,

During a time when the Chinese lunar year of the rabbit is approaching its end, and the year of the dragon is arriving, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Jamaica I would like to extend my sincere greetings and best wishes to all Chinese compatriots in Jamaica.

The year 2023 witnessed the efforts of all Chinese people, home and abroad, jointly embarking on a new journey. Under the strong leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has successfully achieved a major and decisive victory in its COVID-19 prevention and control.

The economy has continued to rebound strongly, and high-quality development has been steadily advanced. China’s gross domestic product (GDP) has increased by 5.2 per cent; China’s domestically developed C919 passenger jet has made its commercial début; and cutting edge technologies, products and business models are constantly emerging.

Chinese modernisation is moving forward steadily and people’s lives are being constantly improved. The comprehensive implementation of the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has got off to a good start.

China-Jamaica friendly relations have remained everlasting and full of vitality. The bilateral political mutual trust has been deepened. Both countries have always understood and supported each other on issues of core interests and major concerns. The China-Jamaica strategic partnership has continued to develop in a healthy manner, pragmatic cooperation has been promoted, and bilateral trade went up with a year-on-year increase of 25.8 per cent to a total of US$1.28 billion in 2023.

The high-quality cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative has made new breakthroughs. The people-to-people exchanges between China and Jamaica are becoming ever closer. The bilateral offline exchanges have been fully restored from central to local government levels, across public and private sectors.

More than 10 Chinese delegations visited Jamaica, and more then 300 Jamaicans from all walks of life went to China for visit or study. Despite the geographical distance, people from our two countries meet each other halfway to strengthen the people-to-people bond.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, a critical year of the comprehensive development of a strong country through a Chinese path to modernisation. Meanwhile, Jamaica is on its journey to ‘Re-igniting a Nation for Greatness’. At this historic juncture, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and minister of foreign affairs of China, paid a successful official visit to Jamaica recently, injecting new impetus into China-Jamaica relations. China will continue to work with Jamaica to strengthen cooperation in various fields, focus on deepening strategic partnership, and work together to build a closer China-Jamaica community with a shared future.

This year also marks the 170th anniversary of the arrival of the first group of Chinese in Jamaica. Looking back, generations of Chinese compatriots in Jamaica have worked hard for the development of both countries and friendly relations. In the new era we need the joint efforts of all Chinese people, home and abroad, to comprehensively build a modern and powerful socialist country and comprehensively promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

I hope all Chinese compatriots in Jamaica can make a greater contribution to building a new development pattern; promoting high-quality development in forging a stronger sense of community for the Chinese nation; promoting the reunification of our mother country; and in pushing forward a community with a shared future for mankind and fine, traditional, Chinese culture.

All Chinese compatriots could play a bigger role in achieving greater development for both countries, shoulder the responsibility, and also share the glory of national rejuvenation. The Chinese Embassy in Jamaica will continue to uphold its fine tradition, guided by the concept of “diplomacy for the people”, and will make every effort to protect the rights of Chinese compatriots in Jamaica in order to provide strong support for Chinese compatriots’ lives and work.

In a boat race, those who row the hardest will win. I look forward to working with you all in this new year to jointly make greater contributions to advancing the China-Jamaica strategic partnership.

I would like to wish our great motherland peace and prosperity. I hope China-Jamaica friendship will be inherited across generations and last forever. I also wish all Chinese compatriots in Jamaica every success, happiness, and good health in the year of the dragon.

Chen Daojiang is ambassador extraordinaire and plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica and permanent representative of the People’s Republic of China to the International Seabed Authority.