21 January 2010

H.E. Governor General Carlyle Glean,

Hon. Prime Minister Tillman Thomas,

Members of the Cabinet,

Members of the Senate and Parliament,

Members from the Government,

Members from diplomatic corps,

Members from the media,

Specially invited guests,

Ladies and gentlemen:

It is my and my wife's pleasure to invite all of you to participate this reception to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Grenada.

At this important occasion, I am glad to inform you that H.E. Hu Jingtao, President of the People's Republic of China, H.E. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council and H.E. Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs have sent letters of congratulations to their counterpart.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Five years is not a long time, but we witnessed tremendous achievements of friendship and cooperation between our two countries.

In 2009, there were many memorable occasions. In June, Honerable Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister of Grenada paid an official visit to China. During his visit, H.E. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress and H.E. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council had good meetings with him and reached broad understanding on the enhancement of the bilateral relations between our two countries. The two governments also signed several agreements of mutual cooperation.

In 2009, despite of the financial difficulties, China had provided financial assistant to the Grenadian Government and several economic cooperation reached on a new stage. We have agricultural project in La Sagess. We have medical team in General Hospital. We have a teacher of Chinese in TMCC. And further more, the Royal Grenada Police Force are using ten motorcycles provided by Jingxi Province of China. Beginning from 17th January 2010, the Chinese and Grenadians who hold diplomatic and official passports enjoy visa free to visit each other countries up for 30 days.

During 2009, 7 young Grenadians got scholarships from the Chinese Government and 50 people from Grenadian Government and business circle went to China to participate various training courses and seminars. By the end of the year, there were 35 students studying in different universities in China and the total number of participants in training courses and seminars reached 200.

Looking forward to the year of 2010, we have new areas for cooperation between our two countries. We are going to have housing project and National Cricket Stadium Maintenance Project starting from this year. We are going to have the their phase of the agricultural project. Furthermore, we are considering to set up twin cities between our two countries in order to enhance the people to people contact and exchanging programmes between GBN and CCTV for the interest of better understanding between our two countries.

Yesterday, China National Philatelic Corporation issued a special cover to commemorate the 5th anniversary of resumption of the diplomatic relations between China and Grenada. And later on, we are going to have a signing ceremony of the special cover.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On this planet we are living today, there are still people who are suffering the effects of war, poverty, sickness and natural disasters. Only 9 days ago, a powerful earthquake struck Haiti, a member country of Caribbean and caused hundreds of thousands of people dead and millions homeless. The Chinese people have great sympathy for the pain of the people of Haiti, and China was the first to send a rescue team to Haiti and provided 1 million USD in cash and 30 million RMB in kind to help them to overcome the difficulties. At the same time, Chinese charity groups are seeking public help for Haiti people. I hope, with joined efforts of people of all countries including China and Grenada, the people of Haiti will survive from this disaster very soon.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For China, the year of 2009 was an important one in the history of the People's Republic of China. Chinese people celebrated the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China. Under the circumstances of the global financial crisis, Chinese people of all ethnic groups have been resolute in confidence and braved hardships and difficulties. With millions of people united as one, we have achieved GDP growth of 8.7%. We have achieved an overall economic recovery. Remarkable new progress has been made in the reform, opening-up and socialist modernization. The livelihood of the people continued to improve, and society remained harmonious and stable. China actively participated in international cooperation in dealing with issues such as the global financial crisis and climate change, increased international exchanges and cooperations, and made further contributions to world peace and development. We are extremely proud of our country's development, and determined to promote the socialist course with Chinese characteristics at a new starting point.

Starting from May 1st of this year, the World Expo will be held in Shanghai, with a theme of "Better City, Better Life". In July, we are going to arrange a Caribbean Week. We warmly welcome friends from Grenada to participate in this great event, introduce Grenada to Chinese people, and compose a new chapter of promoting understanding and friendship between our two countries.

Finally, I wish all of the guests participating this reception happiness, peace and health in the New Year.

I thank you.