THE VISIT by the Vice President of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Zeng Qinghong to Jamaica as part of a wider Caribbean tour is a welcome development with more than a few significant implications.
As Mr. Zeng observed on his arrival in Kingston earlier this week, China and Jamaica are geographically distant but friendly exchanges date back to more than one and a half centuries. The diplomatic ties established some 32 years ago have been strengthened through various cultural and economic pacts.
No doubt with its economy booming and the strong potential for growth, the Chinese government is seeking more markets for their goods and services. In the context of many in Jamaica still debating the merits of treating the Caribbean as a single trading/economic bloc, the Chinese have deftly stepped over that issue, effectively viewing the region as one entity in its current trade explorations.
Of course, trade missions by themselves do not necessarily translate into firm markets or open doors, but an opportunity has been presented to make this one mutually beneficial.
The visit by the Chinese delegation to other Caribbean islands should also cement in the minds of sceptics that even where there are lingering doubts about the wisdom of deepening aspects of regional cooperation, others will not be detained by such considerations when they see a potential that can work to their advantage. We would do well to pay attention.
We have already noted in our January 17 edition the importance of Jamaica being named a preferred tourist destination by the Chinese government, and urged that action be taken quickly to allow our economy to benefit from this development.
China's distance from Jamaica does present some challenges in terms of the costs to be incurred in exporting traditional produce. The fact is that apart from bauxite/alumina, the Chinese can obtain products we normally export from countries that are much nearer and at lower cost to them.
Hopefully, the signing of several memoranda of understanding as well as the trade fair now on at the National Arena will result in significant new areas of trade and expansion of existing ones.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
