Caribbean Times 81st Issue

10 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Monday 23rd January 2017
Remarks at reception in celebration
of the Chinese New Year
Your Excellency Sir Rodney Williams,
Governor General of Antigua
and Barbuda and Lady Williams,
Hon. Gaston Browne, Prime Minister
of Antigua and Barbuda and Mrs.
Browne,
Hon. Sir Gerald Watt, Speaker of
the House of Representatives,
Hon. Charles Fernandez, Minister
of Foreign Affairs, International Trade
and Immigration,
Hon. E.P. Chet Green, Minister of
Trade, Commerce, Industry, Sports,
Culture and National Festivals,
Your Excellency Brian Stuart-Young,
Ambassador of Antigua
and Barbuda to China and Mrs. Stuart-Young,
Representatives of the Chinese
Companies and Communities in Antigua
and Barbuda,
Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon.
As a new year begins, everything
takes on a new look. Today, we gathered
here to celebrate the Chinese New
Year. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy
and my wife Madame Jiang Xuguang,
I would like to extend my warmest
greetings to all my guests. Please accept
my best wishes to all of you for a
successful Year of the Rooster.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
2016 is an extraordinary year for
China full of achievement in many
aspects. A good beginning of the 13 th
“Five Year Plan” has been made. China
actively promoted economic growth,
fully deepened reform, promoted rule
of law, advanced strict governance of
the Communist Party of China. Last
Year, Chinese people were proud of the
great progress we made in the space
program, and the excellent achievements
our athletes gained in the Olym-
Ambassador Wang
pics Games in Brazil. At the G20
Hangzhou Summit, China contributed
its wisdom and solutions to addressing
global issues. The Belt and Road Initiative
is advancing in fast paces, and the
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
officially went into operation.
In 2017, the 19 th National Congress
of Communist Party of China will be
convened, and China will make more
efforts in building a well-off society in
all respects, deepening overall reform,
rule of law and strict governance of the
Party. It is clear that the Chinese Government
adheres to peaceful development,
and will resolutely safeguard our
country’s territorial sovereignty and
maritime rights and interests.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have witnessed profound developments
in the relations between China
and Antigua and Barbuda in 2016.
The win-win cooperation between our
two countries in the fields of politics,
economics, education and culture has
been deepened. The well developed exchanges
in all levels have been demonstrated
through our deepened political
mutual trust, fruitful cooperation in
economic and cultured aspects as well
as coordination on international affairs.
We both recognize the same principles
of mutual respect and benefit in establish
foreign relations, share the same
concerns in the international arena,
such as UN reform, climate change.
We highly appreciate the unswerving
adherence to the One-China Policy
adopted by successive Antiguan and
Barbudan Governments. The fact has
proved that the cooperation between
the two countries comply with the fundamental
interests of both Chinese and
Antiguan and Barbudan.
Development is the top priority for
all countries. Last year, the Chinese
Government agreed to provide nearly
90 million US Dollars for the Port of
St. John’s Renovation and Expansion
Project. Furthermore, according to the
Agreement on Economic and Technical
Cooperation and Exchange Note,
a grant aid in the amount of nearly
16 million US Dollars would be provided
to support bilateral cooperation
programs. The Chinese Government
would provide nearly 1.2 million US
Dollars on Disaster Relief Materials.
In short, solid foundation has been
made for a brighter future. Let’s work
closely to enhance our exchanges in all
fields and push forward our relations to
a new level.
Ladies and Gentlemen, please allow
me to say a few words to my fellow
Chinese compatriots and Friends,
【……Chinese remarks……】
At the end of my remarks, I would
like to propose a toast:
For the prosperity of the People’s
Republic of China and Antigua and
Barbuda,
For the friendship between China
and Antigua and Barbuda from generation
to generation,
For the good health and happiness
of all the guests and their family,
Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Cheers!