Wang Jinfeng | Standing together in solidarity to overcome difficulties

HURRICANE MELISSA has left a trail of casualties and extensive property losses in Jamaica, a situation that has brought deep concern and sorrow to us all.

Sharing Jamaica’s pain, China extended its deepest sympathy and support. On behalf of the government and people of China, President Xi Jinping sent a condolence message to Sir Patrick Allen, governor-general of Jamaica, extending deep condolences to the victims and expressing sincere sympathies to the bereaved families, the injured and people in the affected areas.

President Xi Jinping emphasised that Jamaica is a strategic partner of China. Our two peoples share a deep bond of friendship. China stands ready to provide assistance to Jamaica and support the Jamaican people in overcoming the disaster and building back their communities at an early date.

Messages of condolence were also extended by Premier Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Dr Andrew Holness, prime minister, and Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, respectively.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Jamaica, mutual support and jointly tiding over challenges have been a constant and defining feature of our friendship. After the onset of the 2008 international financial crisis, China provided unconditional assistance to Jamaica, supporting the country’s efforts in gradually emerging from the economic shadow. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China partnered with Jamaica to deliver a substantial number of vaccines, masks, ventilators and other anti-epidemic supplies. Prime Minister Holness’s attendance at the handover ceremony once again underscored the strong friendship between the two countries. In the meantime, Jamaica has always firmly upheld the one-China Principle and has offered China valuable support in both bilateral and multilateral arenas, demonstrating the deep friendship and solid strategic partnership between the two sides.

STAND TOGETHER

As friends who treat each other with sincerity, brothers who stand together through thick and thin, and partners who cooperate for mutual progress, China will continue to assist Jamaica in the ongoing relief and reconstruction effort to the best of its ability. China is providing US$2 million in direct financial assistance to Jamaica as well as transporting urgently needed supplies and assembling a medical team to provide health-care services in affected areas. A Chinese navy hospital ship will also be dispatched to Jamaica to provide humanitarian medical aid.

As the Jamaican people fought through the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, the Chinese community stood in solidarity with them all along. Countless heartwarming stories have been shared among us. Amid rising waters, a woman, trapped in the flood, was later rescued by two employees from China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), who carefully operated a loader, guided her into a bucket and brought her to safety. In the post-Melissa devastation, CHEC and other Chinese companies, including the North South Highway Company, set aside their own losses, however significant, and swiftly mobilised professional equipment to remove fallen trees. By working around the clock in shifts, these Chinese workers managed to reopen the roads, facilitating the local relief effort.

The Chinese community has also stepped up, spontaneously forming a number of relief teams to help the hardest-hit areas. Some Chinese residents willingly converted their private premises into temporary relief centres, where volunteers, young and old alike, worked tirelessly to help sort and pack the relief supplies. Drivers who hadn’t held the steering wheel of a heavy truck for years had resolutely answered the call of duty, driving day and night to deliver supplies. Shop owners also contributed by distributing goods and participating in the fund-raising and other relief efforts before they could attend to their own challenges.

COMPASSION OF HUMANITY

While natural disasters may spare no one, the compassion of humanity shines through. From every urgently-packed relief bag, to every steaming packet of fried rice or noodles, to every free solar-powered mobile phone charger, the Chinese people have shown their love and compassion to Jamaica through concrete actions. According to incomplete statistics, the Chinese community in Jamaica has raised over J$200 million worth of relief funds and supplies. When I heard members of the Chinese community repeating the phrase “One Love”, and witnessed Jamaicans crying out “Thank God fi the Chiney dem”, I was deeply moved by the profound friendship between our two peoples.

In May, at the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, President Xi Jinping announced that China is willing to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to launch five programs of Solidarity, Development, Civilization, Peace, and People-to-People Connectivity, which have charted the course for building the China-LAC community with a shared future. Within the peace program, President Xi Jinping has explicitly emphasised the strengthening of disaster management coordination. As the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica, I am more than willing to maintain close communication and cooperation with all relevant branches of the Jamaican government to ensure that Chinese aid reaches the most affected groups as quickly and effectively as possible, and to intensify coordination with Jamaica on future reconstruction plans, to implement the five programmes and to contribute to disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as sustainable development of this beautiful island.

Sunshine follows every storm. With time, it is hoped that the impacts of the disaster will gradually fade, while it is certain that the friendship between the people of China and Jamaica will endure. I have every confidence that the Jamaican government and people will overcome this catastrophe and rebuild their homes. I sincerely wish Jamaica a speedy recovery and hope that the country will soon restore its beauty and prosperity with enhanced resilience. Together, let’s join hand for a brighter future and write a new chapter of our strategic partnership.

Wang Jinfeng is ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com