Let’s Get Together Forever and Strengthen China-Jamaica Strategic Partnership and Friendship for Common Prosperity – Farewell to Jamaica
中牙关系历久弥新，中牙友谊万古长青
Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica Tian Qi Contributes a Signature Farewell Article to Jamaican Media
驻牙买加大使田琦在牙主流媒体发表离任署名文章
2022年3月28日
28 March 2022
In March 2018, I set foot on this beautiful island – Jamaica for the first time. Over the past four years, I have climbed the scenic Blue Mountain, visited the natural Dunn’s River Falls, watched the glorious sunset over the Lovers Leap, visited the beautiful beach in Montego Bay, tasted the aromatic Blue Mountain coffee and Appleton rum, enjoyed the iconic Reggae music, and fully experienced the unique and charming Jamaican culture. Over the past four years, I have had the privilege to meet and make friends with Jamaicans from all walks of life, and have been deeply touched by their kindness and hospitality.
2018年3月，我首次踏上牙买加这片热土。四年来，我攀登过风光秀丽的蓝山，到访过自然野性的邓恩河瀑布，欣赏过情人崖绚烂的落日，游览过美丽的蒙特哥贝海滩，品尝过香浓的蓝山咖啡和醇厚的朗姆酒，深爱着牙买加标志性的雷鬼音乐，充分领略了牙买加独特的文化魅力。四年来，我有幸结识牙买加各界朋友，他们的热情和友好令我深深感动。
Over the past four years, I have witnessed and contributed to the continuous advancement of China-Jamaica relations and the cooperation between the two countries in various fields such as politics, economy, trade, infrastructure, education, health, and international seabed, and been impressed by the great potential of the cooperation between our two countries as well as the vitality of the friendship between our two peoples.
四年来，我亲身见证和参与了中牙两国在政治、经贸、基础设施、教育、卫生、国际海底事务等各领域的合作，感受到两国合作的巨大潜力和两国人民的友好情谊。
I still remember that, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, led a delegation to attend the Second China International Import Expo (CIIE) and paid an official visit to the People’s Republic of China in November 2019. The bilateral relations between China and Jamaica was elevated to strategic partnership. Jamaica became the first Caribbean country forging a strategic partnership with China, marking a milestone in the development of China-Jamaica relations.
我仍记得，2019年11月霍尔尼斯总理率团出席第二届中国国际进口博览会开幕式并正式访华，两国关系提升至战略伙伴关系。牙买加成为首个同中国建立战略伙伴关系的加勒比国家，在两国关系发展史上具有里程碑意义。
I still remember that, the MOU between China and Jamaica on cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the cooperation plan between the two governments on jointly promoting Belt and Road cooperation were signed in April and November 2019 respectively. Jamaica became the first Caribbean country signing the cooperation plan with China. The bilateral trade volume between China and Jamaica has increased from US$660 million in 2018 to US$816 million in 2021. China’s new direct investment in Jamaica has increased US$320 million since 2018. In the past four years, I have witnessed the lobster, rum and Blue Mountain coffee from Jamaica getting more popular in China. I have witnessed the completion of the new Headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, which officially came into service in January 2022. I have witnessed the new building of the Confucius Institute at the UWI Mona, accommodating a large number of Jamaican students attracted by the Chinese culture. I was very delightful to see the smiling faces of Jamaican children in the China-Aid early-childhood institutions. The Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project will be completed within this year. The Huawei Jamaica ICT Talent Hubs will continuously boost the development of Jamaica’s digital economy. It is firmly believed that the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Jamaica will surely be promoted to a new level and bring more benefits to the people.
我仍记得，2019年11月霍尔尼斯总理率团出席第二届中国国际进口博览会开幕式并正式访华，两国关系提升至战略伙伴关系。牙买加成为首个同中国建立战略伙伴关系的加勒比国家，在两国关系发展史上具有里程碑意义。我仍记得，2019年4月和11月，中牙两国分别签署共建“一带一路”谅解备忘录和合作规划，牙买加成为首个同中国签署共建“一带一路”合作规划的加勒比国家。2018年以来，中牙双边贸易额从6.6亿美元提升至8.16亿美元，中国在牙新增投资3.2亿美元。牙买加龙虾、朗姆酒和蓝山咖啡在中国备受欢迎。四年间，我见证了中国援建牙买加外交外贸部大楼拔地而起并于2022年1月正式启用；见证了西印度大学孔子学院新教学楼接纳一批批热爱中国文化的牙买加学生；见证了中国援建幼儿园里孩子们脸上洋溢的笑容。南部沿海公路升级改造项目即将于今年年底完工，华为牙买加信息通信技术人才中心将助力牙买加信息通信技术和数字经济蓬勃发展，中牙高质量共建“一带一路”必将迈上新台阶，为人民带来更多福祉。
I still remember that, how deeply moved I was when seeing the joyful tears of the patients who benefited from the Bright Journey Project ophthalmology therapy, which returned a colorful world to 500 Jamaican cataract patients. I still remember the ceremonies I awarded the Chinese Government Scholarship to Jamaican students and the Chinese Ambassador’s Scholarship to more than 100 students from four universities to support them in completing their education. I have sent off more than 1,000 Jamaican employees, students and athletes to China for various training programs and welcomed several Chinese teachers to teach Mandarin in Jamaica, all of whom were encouraged to be messengers of the people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Jamaica.
我仍记得，“光明行”眼科义诊活动帮助500余名牙白内障患者重见光明。四年间，我为数十名牙买加学生颁发中国政府奖学金，向牙四所大学近百名学生资助中国大使奖学金，助力他们完成学业。我欢送1000余名牙买加企业员工、学生、运动员等各界人士赴华参加培训；欢迎10余名中国教师来牙教授中文。他们都是中牙人文交流的使者。
I still remember that, China and Jamaica have been supporting and assisting each other to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic since its outbreak in early 2020. China has made contributions to Jamaica’s fight against the pandemic and its economic recovery. China will continue to provide assistance to support Jamaica and believes that Jamaican government and people will defeat the virus and revive the momentum of economic and social development.
我仍记得，2020年初新冠肺炎疫情暴发以来，中国和牙买加守望相助、共克时艰，中国为牙抗击疫情和恢复经济作出了积极贡献。中方将继续坚定支持牙抗疫和经济复苏并提供力所能及的帮助。
The year of 2022 is a special year as it marks the 60th anniversary of Jamaica independence and will witness the convening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Jamaica. Standing at a new historical starting point, I firmly believe that the China-Jamaica Strategic Partnership will be further enhanced and raised to a new level and the China-Jamaica traditional friendship will be consolidated and refreshed, as long as our two countries continue enhancing political mutual trust, deepening practical cooperation, strengthening the people-to-people exchanges, and working together to promote the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, implement the Global Development Initiative, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.
2022年是一个特殊的年份。牙买加将迎来独立60周年，中国将喜迎中国共产党二十大召开，中牙将共同庆祝建交50周年。站在新的历史起点上，我坚信，只要两国始终怀着提升政治互信的诚心、深化务实合作的决心、加强人文交流的真心、高质量共建“一带一路”的信心、携手落实全球发展倡议的雄心和共同构建人类命运共同体的恒心，中牙战略伙伴关系必将迈上新台阶，中牙传统友谊必将焕发新活力。
I will end my tenure in Jamaica and leave this lovely island. I would like to take this opportunity to express my most sincere gratitude to all my friends in Jamaica, to all the Chinese compatriots, to all who support China’s development and contribute to the China-Jamaica friendship, and to all who have provided precious support to me during my tenure. Thank you! I believe that all of my friends will continue to give their valuable support to the Chinese Embassy in Jamaica in the future and jointly create a brighter future for the China-Jamaica relations.
我即将结束任期，惜别牙买加。借此机会我谨向牙买加各界朋友、全体在牙同胞，向所有关心与支持中国发展、促进中牙友好的朋友们，向所有为我履职提供过支持和帮助的朋友们致以最诚挚的谢意！希望大家一如既往地支持中国驻牙买加使馆工作，共创中牙关系更加美好的明天。
May prosperity for China and Jamaica!
最后，衷心祝愿中国和牙买加繁荣昌盛！
May long-lasting friendship for Chinese and Jamaican people!
中牙人民友谊地久天长！