Chinese VP Receives Key to the City of Montego Bay

Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Xi Jinping, was presented with the Key to the City of Montego Bay, in St. James at an official dinner hosted by the Mayor of the city, His Worship, Councillor Charles Sinclair Jnr., at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Friday(Feb 13).
The Vice President, who was in Montego Bay on an official visit, arrived in the city on Friday and held discussions with the Mayor and a team of Councillors from the St. James Parish Council on several issues of economic and cultural importance, in the afternoon.
At the dinner which followed, the Mayor expressed appreciation for the visit of the Chinese Vice President to the city. He noted that Jamaica was the only Caribbean country that had the pleasure of hosting him during his visit to the region.
Mayor Sinclair also remarked that Jamaica and the People’s Republic of China have enjoyed steady and mutually beneficial relations since 1972.
“Over these many years, there has been steady and mutually beneficial development in bilateral friendly relations, and co-operation in the political, economic, cultural, military and other fields”, he said.
“In international affairs, our nations share much common ground and common interests, and have long supported and (have) closely co-operated with each other,” he added.
Mayor Sinclair said that both countries must continue to progress toward cementing the bond that has proven beneficial on both sides, as the relationship they share will be a major contributor to their continued development and growth in the challenging times ahead.
Mayor Sinclair then read the citation and presented Vice President Xi with the Key to the City.
In his response, Vice President Xi expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Government and people of China. He added that the gesture will contribute positively to China’s relationship with Jamaica.