KINGSTON, Jamaica – China’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Chen Jinghua, has said that, “China sees Jamaica as the important leader and player in the Caribbean region.”
“This is why China’s investments in the country are increasing and we continue to explore areas of co-operation with our Jamaican friends,” the Ambassador said on (Sept. 19), during an official call on the new Minister of Water & Housing, Dr. Horace Chang, at the Ministry’s New Kingston office.
Citing China’s recent donation and shipment of pipes to Jamaica to improve the island’s water supply, Ambassador Jinghua said that other needs would be similarly addressed according to the priorities of the Jamaican Government.
He also cited China’s role in the recent construction of the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium for Cricket World Cup 2007, as well as its undertaking to build an international Convention Centre in St. James.
Welcoming Ambassador Jinghua, who is in the 10th month of his tour of duty, Dr. Chang said that the Jamaican Government “will certainly be looking at expanding and deepening co-operation in all areas, but particularly the area of improving water supply, given our shortage of capital.”
“Jamaica also has a problem of severe shortage of housing at the lower and lower middle income levels and I’m sure we can work on a structured development expansion programme in housing, looking at technology and materials,” he added.
The Minister was joined in the meeting with Ambassador Jinghua by Minister of State, Everard Warmington; Permanent Secretary, Genefa Hibbert; Chief Technical Director, Desmond Munroe; Director of the Water Resources Authority, Dr. Basil Fernandez; President of the National Water Commission (NWC), E.G. Green and Director of Communications at the NWC, Charles Buchanan.
