CHINESE NEW YEAR GREETINGS BY AMBASSADOR NIU QINGBAO
As the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year approaches, on behalf of the Embassy of the Peopleʼs Republic of China in Jamaica, I would like to extend sincere greetings and best wishes to the Chinese community in Jamaica. May you all have a happy and prosperous new year! In the past year of 2017, both China and Jamaica have made significant achievements in our respective national developments. In October last year, the Communist Party of China successfully convened its 19th National Congress, and outlined an ambitious blueprint for building China into a great modern socialist country. General Secretary Xi Jinping declared to the world that China will stay committed to peaceful development and to a win-win strategy of opening up. China stands ready to share its development dividends with all other countries and achieve common prosperity together with fellow developing countries. The Chinese people are ready to join hands with the people of Jamaica in pursuing our shared dreams of world peace, prosperity and happiness of the people. 2017 was also the 45th anniversary of China-Jamaica diplomatic relations. Over the past 45 years and 2017 in particular, China-Jamaica friendly relationship greatly expanded and benefited both countries and peoples. This would not have been possible without the hard work and contribution by the Chinese Community. My fellow Chinese, you have been such a special bridge and contribution of China-Jamaica friendship. Please accept my heartfelt thanks! One of the top priorities of Chinaʼs diplomacy, which is guided by a people-centered philosophy, is to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals and institutions overseas. While being committed to providing better consular protection and assistance, I wish to advise Chinese nationals in Jamaica to abide by Jamaican laws, respect local customs, live in harmony with local communities, and continue to contribute constructively to the friendship between China and Jamaica. For the year 2018, I wish the Chinese community could carry on in building more and better bridges of peace and friendship, constructing wider and longer roads of development and prosperity, and thus further promoting the friendly partnership for common development between China and Jamaica to a new height.