Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica His Excellency Chen Jinghua visited the offices of the Ministry of Transport and Works on Friday, March 18, 2011 to bid farewell as he comes to his term of office in Jamaica.

The Ambassador in noting that his longest posting has been in Jamaica, said that the island had become an important part of his life. He said that he was quite impressed with the efficiency with which staff at the Ministry had executed projects. He said he was especially proud of the achievements under the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP).  The Ambassador explained that there were very strong bi-lateral ties between Jamaica and China and he was extremely pleased to have been part of the thrust. He also expressed the hope that the high levels of co-operation between the two nations would continue.

Minister Mike Henry in thanking Ambassador Jinghua for his assistance to the Ministry during his tenure in Jamaica said that he was especially thankful for the role played by the Ambassador in the execution of JDIP. Minister Henry spoke to other areas of co-operation with the Chinese such as the teaching of the English Language in China. In this regard, he said, “a seed has been sown and it will grow exponentially.” Minister Henry also said he wanted to meet with the GMCMA with a view to making Jamaica a hub for Chinese activities in the Caribbean. “I want to work assiduously in fostering the need to connect east to west and make it an axis of development.”

Permanent Secretary, Dr. Alwin Hales who was also in attendance heaped praises on Ambassador Jinghua for the efficient way that through his (the Ambassador’s) leadership, projects under the aegis of the Chinese have been carried out.