Foreign Affairs Minister Extends Congratulations to China

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, has extended congratulations to the People’s Republic of China on its 77th anniversary.

Addressing the commemorative ceremony on Wednesday (September 30), in New Kingston, the Minister said, “National Day provides an important moment to reflect on the journey of a nation and the aspirations of its people.”

“Over the past 77 years, China has undergone a remarkable transformation becoming an important participant in the global economy and an increasingly significant partner to countries in both the developed and developing world,” she said.

The Minister said for Jamaica, the occasion also provides an opportunity to reflect on a relationship that has grown and evolved for more than five decades, one which is grounded in mutual respect, dialogue and practical cooperation, while remaining responsive to the priorities of the countries’ respective peoples.

Senator Johnson Smith pointed out that the Jamaica-China relationship is strong, multifaceted, and productive.

“Our two nations have worked together to build ties that continue to develop at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels through sustained cooperation across infrastructure development, human resource capacity-building, project financing, health, trade, investment and sports,” the Minister said.

“Our friendship is underpinned by deep people-to-people ties stretching to the mid-1800s with the arrival of the first Chinese settlers in Jamica. The indelible contributions of the Chinese community to Jamaica’s economic, social and cultural fabric have helped give meaning to our motto, ‘out of many one people’, and they continue to enrich our nation and contribute to its growth and development,” she continued.

Significantly, she said China supported Jamaica’s recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island last October, with the provision of grant assistance and humanitarian supplies, including heavy-duty equipment and 200 pre-fabricated houses, as well as the deployment of medical personnel.

She also thanked the Chinese Benevolent Association, the Chinese private sector and the wider Chinese-Jamaica Community for their generous donations of critical relief supplies to affected communities across several parishes.

“Jamaica values partnerships that benefit our people and advance our national development priorities, and our strategic partnership with China is important in this regard, encompassing cooperation that touches both our economic infrastructure and our social development,” Senator Johnson Smith highlighted.

She said the fruits of this collaboration can be seen in major infrastructure projects, including road developments that better connect communities, facilitate commerce and support economic activity across the island.

“For 54 years, Jamaica and China have built a relationship grounded in mutual respect, dialogue and practical cooperation. Jamaica will continue to engage constructively with China and with our partners across the international community in keeping with our national interests and our commitment to peace, development and international cooperation,” the Minister said.

In his remarks, Ambassador for the Peoples Republic of China to Jamaica, His Excellency Wang Jinfeng, said the country has made significant strides in its development.

Ambassador Wang Jinfeng said today, China ranks as the world’s second largest economy, the second largest importer and the largest trader in goods.

“In the first half of 2026, China’s total value of trade in goods reached US$3.67 trillion. Over the past five years, China’s economy accounted for around 30 per cent of global growth,” he outlined.

Notably, he said new energy, integrated circuits, and artificial intelligence have been advancing at an accelerated pace in China.
“Chinese photovoltaic products and new energy vehicles are well received in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries,” he noted.