Wang Jinfeng | New starting point, new vision

I am honoured to come to this beautiful “land of wood and water” and serve as the 17th Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica. Reputed as the “Pearl of the Caribbean”, Jamaica is uniquely charming with its beautiful natural scenery, dynamic reggae music, rich history, diverse culture, and the national identity characterised by the national motto “Out of Many, One People”. All of these have left a deep, beautiful impression on me.

Jamaica was one of the first group of Caribbean countries that established diplomatic relations with China, the first Caribbean country that has established a strategic partnership with China, and the first country in the Western Hemisphere to sign a Belt and Road cooperation plan with China. Over the past 53 years of our diplomatic ties, China-Jamaica relations have entered a fast track of development under our leaders’ strategic guidance. Our countries have fostered profound political mutual trust, fruitful practical cooperation, and productive cultural exchanges, setting a prime example of equal-footed interaction and mutually beneficial cooperation for win-win results between countries of different sizes.

With the successful conclusion of Jamaica’s general election and the swearing-in of the new cabinet, China-Jamaica relations face new opportunities. Proceeding from an abiding sense of political responsibility, I will earnestly implement the important consensus reached by our leaders, strengthen the strategic communication, and consolidate our political mutual trust. I will continue to advance the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to bring tangible benefits to our peoples. I will further intensify bilateral exchanges at all levels, deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, renew the story of mutual understanding and friendship between our people, and elevate China-Jamaica strategic partnership to a new height.

NEW CHAPTER

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the official launch of the China-CELAC Forum, which ushers in a new chapter of development of China’s relations with Jamaica and the wider Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith, attended the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing in May. President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony and announced the launch of the five programmes of solidarity, development, civilization, peace and people-to-people connectivity. This meeting projected the common voice of China and CELAC calling for solidarity and coordination in addressing challenges, providing renewed impetus for China and LAC countries to pursue shared development and revitalization, and build a China-LAC community with a shared future.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the founding of the United Nations. 80 years ago, after fighting a bitter and heroic war for 14 years, the Chinese nation made a significant contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War with an unimaginable sacrifice of over 35 million casualties. The UN was founded in the aftermath of the war. China was not only the founding member of the UN, but also the first signatory of the UN Charter.

Eighty years later, while the historical trend of peace, development, cooperation and win-win result remains unchanged, the Cold War mentality, hegemonism and unilateralism are posing emerging risks. The new Monroe Doctrine is resurfacing in LAC. The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. To build a more just and equitable global governance system, President Xi Jinping recently proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), advocating five core concepts of adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practising multilateralism, advocating the people-centred approach and focusing on taking real actions.

RAISING REPRESENTATION

This initiative stands for raising the representation of the Global South and redressing historical injustice. The Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) and Global Governance Initiative (GGI) focus on development, security, civilization, and governance respectively, complementing and reinforcing each other. They inject stability and certainty into a volatile world, contribute China’s wisdom and present China’s solution to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

During UNGA High-Level Week 2025, China held a high-level meeting on the GDI. At the meeting, Chinese Premier Li Qiang declared that as a responsible major developing country, China will not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future negotiations at the WTO. China will also support small island countries, including Jamaica, in boosting sustainable development capacity. China will remain a supporter and promoter of common development, take more proactive actions, and shoulder its due responsibilities. With the GDI as a platform, China is ready to work with Jamaica and other countries to further deepen global development cooperation, and create a better and more prosperous world.

As an important country in the region, Jamaica plays an active role in improving the global governance system. Jamaica has joined the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative. In May 2025, 33 countries, including China and Jamaica, signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong of China, and became founding members of the organisation. China looks forward to further strengthening communication and coordination with Jamaica on international and regional issues, jointly implementing the four global initiatives, safeguarding the common interests of the Global South, and raising the representation and voice of developing countries in the international system.

An ancient Chinese poetry says “a bosom friend afar brings distance near”, while a Jamaican proverb says “good fren betta dan pocket money”. China will always be a good friend and good partner of Jamaica. Let’s pool our wisdom and strengths to forge ahead, and work together for the new chapter in China-Jamaica relations.

Wang Jinfeng is the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica