Celebrating close bonds

That bond was formalised 33 years ago with the establishment of diplomatic relations, and the celebration of the founding of the People's Republic of China is always met with much fanfare from locals and expatriates alike. So it was on Tuesday, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, as guests marked the 62nd year of the founding. This was also the first celebration here for new Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica Zheng Qingdian, who recently started his posting.

Ambassador Zheng revelled in the fact that China is officially the world's second largest economy and cited that the standard of living of its people had improved. He cautioned, though, that China was still a developing nation that, "had a long way to go". He reiterated China's commitment to peaceful development and underlined China's assistance to countries facing difficulties.

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck (who should know a thing or two about Jamaica/China relations, being of Chinese descent) congratulated Ambassador Zheng on his job so far. You would forgive him for being a little envious of China's three trillion-dollar Gross Domestic Product (estimated to reach above four by 2021). But he also lauded China's contribution to the world in areas other than business and thanked the Chinese for helping Jamaica meet its development objectives. He also pointed to aid in various sectors including agriculture, road infrastructure and education through various investments, loans and grants.

Guests out included: former Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall and Lady Hall; former Prime Minister Edward Seaga; Chief Justice Zalia McCalla; Water Minister Horace Chang; Energy Minister Clive Mullings; State Ministers Dr St Aubyn Bartlett and Othneil Lawrence; Venezuelan Ambassador Noel Martinez; Chilean Ambassador Alfredo Garcia; Russian Ambassador Victor Zotin and wife Olga; British High Commissioner Howard Drake and wife Gill; Canadian High Commissioner Stephen Hallihan and wife Cathy; Spanish Ambassador Celsa Nuño; Mexican chargé Guadalupe Salazar and Vicente Montemayor; Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn; Dr Wesley Hughes; Zhongdong Tang; Bindley Sangster; Patrick Wong; Ann-Marie Chin; Anthony and Suzette Haynes and Parris Lyew-Ayee Sr.