THE GOVERNMENTS of Jamaica and China yesterday signed an economic and technical co-operation agreement which will see Jamaica receiving an interest-free loan of US$2.5 million from China to be disbursed over a five-year period beginning February 1, 2003.
In addition, Jamaica will also receive a US$250,000 grant which will go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade for the provision of equipment.
The signing of the agreement took place at Jamaica House yesterday during a working meeting between representatives of the Jamaican Government led by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and officials of the Chinese Government led by visiting Chinese State Councillor, Madam Wu Yi.
Madame Wu signed the agreement as she wrapped up a three-day visit to the island as part of a tour of eight member states of CARICOM with which China has diplomatic relations.
Yesterday's working meeting also saw the presentation of a Certificate for audio-visual and computing equipment which was received by the Audio-Visual Archives of Jamaica in November last year.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Patterson welcomed the Chinese delegation, adding that the visit to Jamaica by such a high ranking official of the Chinese Government indicated the importance which China attaches to its bilateral relations with Jamaica. He referred to the strong bonds of friendship which exist between Jamaica and China, and stressed the need for closer diplomatic ties in a period of global uncertainty, including the increased threats of terrorism.
"The challenges being faced by the international community and threats to world peace and stability, speak to the necessity of finding multilateral solutions," the Prime Minister said.
He noted that this was only possible, when countries recognise their common linkages and interdependence.
Prime Minister Patterson stressed that Jamaica's 30-year bi-lateral relationship with China should not be confined to political and economic matters, but should be extended to embrace education and culture. He said these were new frontiers which should be explored as Jamaicans had much to learn about the Chinese civilisation which has spanned many centuries.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Patterson lauded China's support for Small Island Economies such as those of the Caribbean, in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and said Small States will continue to look to China for support, as that country seeks to assert its interest and become more involved in the WTO. He said support was also being sought from China for the Programme of Action on Small Economies arrived at during the Doha Ministerial Meeting.
In her remarks, Madame Wu Yi outlined the economic model for development which was being pursued by the Chinese government. She said China would continue to support the needs of small states for special and differential treatment in the WTO, as such, arrangements represent an important right of developing countries.
She said she hoped that her visit would further promote friendship between Jamaica and China. She announced that China would be establishing a fully equipped language laboratory at the University of the West Indies to enable Jamaican students to learn the Chinese language and that additional scholarships will be made available to Jamaican students wishing to study in China.
Madame Wu is also scheduled to visit Antigua, The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, St. Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
