By Vicki Cann, PhD Candidate at Communication University of China
The beginning of the Chinese New Year has witnessed strengthening ties between China and Jamaica. The Ex-Im Bank of China inked a deal worth US$326 million for construction of Jamaica’s Southern Coastal (four-lane) Highway Improvement Project.
Mr. Liu Liange, the bank’s Vice-Chairman and President, expressed confidence in the growing partnership between the two countries and south-south relations.
The Hon. Audley Shaw (2nd left) thanks
Mr. Liu Liange (3rd right) for his bank's unwavering support of Jamaica's economic growth and development. Sharing in the moment are: the Hon. Michael Henry (2nd right); Antonia Hugh(right) and Aubyn Hill (left.)
“Over the past several years we have had very good cooperation with Jamaica … Your people are always very efficient, very positive, and very responsible… China Ex-Im Bank is ready to continue this close cooperation,” noted the President.
In response, Jamaica’s Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon. Audley Shaw said, “We expect and hope, that you (Ex-Im Bank) will continue to be our driver and our protector in spearheading the program to expand the relationship between Jamaica and China.”
Minister Shaw was accompanied by the Minister of Transport and Mining the Hon. Michael Henry; Jamaica’s Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary to China, His Excellency Antonia Hugh and Investment Ambassador & Senior Advisor, Senator Aubyn Hill.
During the week-long visit, the Jamaican delegation had engaged in high profile meetings, including with China’s Finance Minister Xiao Jie. Both Finance Ministers remarked on Jamaica’s strategic importance in the western hemisphere especially in regards to joint development ventures of industrial and agro-parks to better facilitate and service export markets in the Caribbean and Latin American region.
Minister Shaw also met with Zhang Xiangchen, China’s Vice Minister of Commerce. The Vice Minister expressed optimism over the possible signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to encourage more Chinese firms to participate in Jamaica’s growth and development.
China Harbour Facilitates Island wide Infrastructure Development
The past six years has witnessed progress of the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Development Program (JDIP), Major Infrastructure Development Program (MIDP) and opening of North-South Highway constructed by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).
The delegation also met with Tang Qiaoliang, President of CHEC; Dr. Hu Zhimin, Deputy General Manager of CHEC Americas and Ding Wen, China Harbour’s Marketing Deputy General Manager. A meeting was also held with Mr. Hu Huaibang, Chairman of the China Development Bank.
Kingston to Award Chinese Students Scholarships
The Minister of Transport and Mining, said the Jamaican Government (GOJ) will award ten Chinese students scholarships to study at the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI).
The Hon. Michael Henry Minister of Transport and Mining (centre) shares lens time with Jinghui Liu (left), Secretary General of the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and Li Meng, Deputy Director of the CSC’s Division for American Affairs.
“This marks an important juncture in the Jamaica – China relationship and it is an important element for the development of CMI as a new University. The CMI has been able to place 98% of its students in important jobs and ones that enable them to earn at a higher level,” said the Minister.
Liu Jinghui, Secretary General of the China Scholarship Council (CSC); Li Meng, Deputy Director of CSC’s Division for American Affairs; Julliet Mair, Ministerial Advisor to the Minister of Transport and Mining; Hillary Robertson, Senior Technical Advisor to the Minister of Finance and Cherett Campbell, Minister Counsellor at Jamaica’s Beijing Embassy were all on hand to witness the announcement.
China has extended government scholarships to hundreds of students across the Caribbean and Latin America. To date, Jamaica is one of the first countries in the region to return the favor.
Under the previous administration, technical assistance was offered to four Chinese students who have participated in a two year program at Jamaica’s GC Foster College of Sports. In 2015, six Chinese coaches were trained in sprinting techniques.
The five-year CMI scholarship program will cover tuition costs amounting to US$500,000 (US$10,000 annually per student). The first year will be devoted to English language instruction, as well as Jamaican and Caribbean cultural studies.
The Caribbean Maritime Institute is internationally recognized as one of the best centers for tertiary maritime education in the Western Hemisphere; established through a joint partnership between the Government of Jamaica and the Kingdom of Norway to train professional seafarers.
The institute has extended its reach globally and has received several international certifications and accreditation, some of which are authorized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Kingston stands committed to facilitate joint development of both countries, coming on the heels of a recent purchase of Alpart Bauxite-Alumina Refinery by Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO) located in China’s Gansu Province.
JISCO is prepared to inject approx. US$2 billion into the country’s economy, which is estimated to create 2,800 jobs for Jamaicans.
Vicki Cann is currently a PhD Scholarship recipient studying at Communication University of China. She spent 10 years in the U.S.A. where she attained her Masters in Communication. She also served as the former PR Officer for China Harbour Engineering Company's Americas Division in Kingston, Jamaica.
vickicann@mail.com
(The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com)
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