In the morning of February 2, 2021, H.E. Mr. Antonia Hugh, Ambassador of Jamaica to China and the new rotating Chairman of the Caucus (Diplomatic Corps of the missions of the Caribbean countries in China), accompanied by Mrs. Melissa Pryce, the new Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Jamaica, paid a visit to the Peace Garden Museum and talked with Dr. Li Ruohong, President of China World Peace Foundation and Beijing Peace Culture Foundation. The two sides held long and friendly talks on cooperation in various fields between China and Jamaica .
Dr. Li Ruohong thanked Ambassador Hugh (Jamaica’s) for the long standing support to the Foundation and introduced the Foundation's major projects for international exchanges in 2021. He also said, “Cooperation with the Caribbean is a major focus for us. Jamaica is known for Reggae music and has rich natural and cultural resources. We hope to promote bilateral and multilateral practical cooperation on expansion of sister cities and related economic and social projects through exchanges on "One Belt And One Road" world heritage protection and passing on intangible cultural heritages.”
Ambassador Hugh noted that 2022 marks the 60th anniversary of Jamaica's independence and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Jamaica and China. Jamaica is the first country in the Western Hemisphere to join the One Belt And One Road initiative. In the next two years, Jamaica hopes to plan cooperation with China in many areas, including cultural exhibitions, Reggae music festivals and sports exchanges. Jamaica will also have a bobsled team to participate in the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. At present, Jamaica has established sister-city relations with three Chinese cities, Shenzhen, Yantai and Hangzhou. In the future, Jamaica also expects that more cities of both countries can be twinned to carry out more distinctive bilateral exchanges and interactions. In addition, Ambassador Hugh said, serving as chair of the CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors for the next months, he hopes to propose the establishment of a China-Caribbean Culture Salon with the China World Peace Foundation and the Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation and hold regular activities to promote multilateral cultural interactions.
The two parties had productive talks and decided to invite other members of the Caribbean Community to jointly discuss concrete plans for future cooperation and collaboration.
