Excerpts from the speech by Ambassador Zhao Zhenyu at the reception to celebrate the 57th National Day of the People's Republic of China and to bid farewell.

This is an occasion we mark every year. But this year, it is special. As you already know, we celebrate the Chinese National Day in conjunction with my farewell party. So I also wish to thank you for giving my wife and me an opportunity to say goodbye to you all.

Since 1949, when the People's Republic was founded, and particularly since the country started the policy of reform and opening-up in 1978, China has shown the world remarkable changes with eye-catching achievements in every field. China's economy has grown steadily, its national strength has been enhanced considerably, and Chinese people's livelihood - culturally and materially - has improved significantly.

China's GDP

From 1978 to 2005, China's GDP increased over tenfold from US$216.5 billion to US$2.23 trillion with an average growth rate of 9.6 per cent per annum and currently ranks No. 4 in the world; per capita GDP grew nearly sevenfolds from US$226 to over US$1,700; total import and export volume increased 67 folds from US$20.6 billion to US$1.42 trillion, making China the third largest trading country in the world; foreign reserves rose from US$167 million to US$818.9 billion; number of people living under the poverty line in the countryside dropped from 250 million to 23.65 million. On the whole, the Chinese people have reached a well-off standard of living.

Of course, we are fully aware of the fact that China's huge population, weak economic foundation, uneven development of its different regions, and the per capita GDP level ranking behind the 100th place in the world means numerous problems, difficulties and challenges in our road of advance. China still has a long way to go before it realizes modernization and delivers a prosperous life to its people.

With the start of China's 11th five-year plan (2006-2010) for economic and social development this year, China's economic and social outlook in the years ahead holds out bright prospects. Following the requirements of a scientific outlook on development, we will put people first and take development as the primary task in running the country and government. We will promote coordinated development in urban and rural areas and among different regions, facilitate balanced economic and social development and harmonious development of man and nature, and coordinate domestic development and opening-up so as to achieve comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development.

Ladies and gentlemen, currently China's relations with Jamaica have maintained a good momentum of all-round development, highlighted by enhanced political mutual trust, fruitful trade and economic cooperation, flourishing cultural and sports exchanges and close cooperation on international affairs.

Strategic goal

In the political area, the strategic goal of 'Friendly Partnership for Common Development', as agreed upon by both sides, has been steadily promoted. The newly established Jamaican Embassy in Beijing and my Embassy in Kingston have been complementing each other as a "working pair" on behalf of our respective countries, in our concerted efforts to deepen the Sino-Jamaican relations. The third round of consultations between the Foreign Ministry of China and the ministries of foreign affairs of the Caribbean countries having diplomatic relations with China, including Jamaica, were successfully held in Beijing, recently. The two sides agreed to strengthen political dialogue and consultations and cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

Our economic and trade cooperation has also enjoyed rapid and steady advancement. China has become Jamaica's fourth largest trading partner and Jamaica continues to be China's largest trading partner in the English-speaking Caribbean region. According to Chinese statistics, trade volume between our two countries reached US$325.07 million in 2005. In the first seven months this year, the trade volume hit US$299.59 million, a 36.1 per cent increase over the same period last year.

Cooperative projects

Furthermore, cooperative projects between the two sides have progressed smoothly. The Chinese workers in Trelawny are putting finishing touches to the Greenfield Cricket Stadium project, which is expected to be completed in coming mid-November. The construction of the Sligoville Sports Complex in St. Catherine is in full swing and will be completed by next April. China Import & Export Bank has finished the assessment of the project of Montego Bay Convention Centre in favour of the provision of concessional loan to the Jamaican side.

There are also some other projects with negotiations still going on, and I am trying to give a final push before my departure from Jamaica, for instance, the rehabilitation of the Jamaican railway system and the construction of the Jamaican telemedicine network.

Some new areas of cooperation between China and Jamaica have been explored recently with more exchange programmes carried out in the fields of media, culture, education, sports, justice and military.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television of China has signed a MOU with JIS on the exchange of radio and television programmes of the two countries.

Chinese gov't scholarships

Several Jamaican students have been awarded full Chinese Government scholarships to study at Chinese universities, starting this month. China has sent two language instructors to teach Chinese language and culture at the University of the West Indies and the Chinese Benevolent Association. The Chinese side and the University of the West Indies at Mona have been positively exploring the possibility of co-establishing a Confucious Institute in Jamaica, with a view to promoting the education of Chinese language and culture.

Invited by the Chinese Ministry of Culture, the world-famous Jamaican photographer, Mr. Ray Chen, will have his photo exhibition, in Beijing, in November.

In sports, apart from two Chinese table tennis coaches now training Jamaican national players in Kingston over the past two years, and Jamaica's former 100-meter dash gold medallist, Mr. Quarrie, giving lectures in China last year, the Chinese Athletics Association and Jamaican Amateur Athletics Association have signed a cooperation agreement on the exchange of coaches for the items of short distance dash and hurdles.

Military exchanges

The military to military exchanges between the Jamaican Defence Force and the Chinese People's Liberation Army is another aspect of bilateral relations of our two countries. Following the visit to China by Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, last year, the Chinese Military Delegation has recently visited Jamaica. China will continue to provide military logistic goods gratis to Jamaica and accept officers from JDF to take various training courses in Chinese military academies.

As a follow-up move to the call at Port of Kingston by the Chinese ocean research vessel DAYANG YIHAO and the visit to Jamaica by the Chinese Oceanic Delegation last year, the State Oceanic Administration of China has agreed to provide assistance to the Jamaican side in the field of marine sciences including accepting the Jamaican scientists to do the research work aboard the above-mentioned Chinese research vessel in the near future.

The various sister-city or sister-province twinning relationship has witnessed fruitful exchanges and cooperation, the most recent progress being the signing of a MOU for China's Yiwu City to set up a trade centre in Montego Bay.

Besides, in the international arena, China and Jamaica share identical or similar views on many world issues. The two countries have supported each other on some major issues and conducted fruitful dialogue and cooperation in the United Nations, G77 and China, WTO, WHO and other international organisations.

Both China and Jamaica belong to the developing countries. We share the same past of bitterness and we face the common goal to develop economy and improve people's livelihood. To develop a mutually beneficial relationship is in the interest of our two countries and peoples. There is every reason for us to believe that this upswing in our relations will continue to acquire further strength in the future.