WAYNE MCCOOK has been appointed Jamaica's first resident ambassador to the People's Republic of China.Mr. McCook, who is acting undersecretary in the foreign ministry, is expected to take up duties in June when the embassy is scheduled to commence operations in Beijing.
Mr. McCook's appointment and the establishment of the embassy are occurring as Jamaica and China are engaged in deepening cooperation and economic ties.
China's Vice-President, Zeng Qinghong, paid a visit to Jamaica during the country's hosting of the China/Caribbean Forum and Eco-nomic Trade Fair, which was held in Kingston from February 2-5.
It is envisaged that Jamaica could become a major light manufacturing and transshipment point for Chinese goods entering the hemisphere.
COOPERATION AGREEMENTS
Jamaica and China signed a number of cooperation agreements covering a wide range of areas, including a memorandum of understanding which will facilitate Chinese tourism to Jamaica.
Mr. McCook is a career diplomat. Prior to his current position as acting undersecretary for trade, he held a number of positions in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, including senior director of the Foreign Trade Department; director, Caribbean and Americas Department; minister/deputy head of mission, Embassy of Jamaica to the United States of America; and minister/deputy permanent representative, Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the United Nations, New York.
Mr. McCook, was also acting executive director of the Broadcasting Commission, on secondment from the ministry.
