Outgoing Chinese Ambassador hailed as true friend of Jamaica

Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck has commended outgoing ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Niu Qingbao, for the tremendous role he has played in raising the profile of bilateral relations and securing meaningful cooperation to positively impact Jamaicans.

He was speaking at a reception held last Friday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, to recognise the first day of the Chinese New Year and to bid farewell to the ambassador, whose tour of duty ends this month.

"It is with mixed feelings that we join in these festivities while, at the same time, bidding farewell to a true friend of Jamaica, who has truly endeared himself to the Government and people of Jamaica, as well as his colleagues in the diplomatic community," Chuck said.

He praised the ambassador for successfully accomplishing his tasks of prioritising high-level exchanges and advancing the China-Jamaica partnership for common development.

According to Chuck, progress has been made on several projects during the ambassador's tenure, including the building of early childhood institutions; the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade office building in downtown Kingston; the Confucius Institute project at the University of the West Indies; the western Jamaica children's hospital project; and technical cooperation to improve coaching in synchronised swimming, badminton, and other sports.

"During your tenure, the training of our nationals increased from 263 in 2016 to more than 500 in 2017," Chuck told the Ambassador.

"The Caribbean Maritime (University) and the G.C. Foster College have benefited from your deep commitment. Your parting gift may be the recent Chinese investment of US$6 billion to develop an industrial park and special economic zone alongside the JISCO-Alpart operations in Nain, St Elizabeth," he added.