The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

Welcome to our online National Day Reception celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. First of all, I would like to convey good wishes and best regards to the overseas Chinese and Overseas Chinese-funded Enterprises in Barbados on behalf of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Barbados, and also extend heartfelt appreciation to local friends across all walks of life who are long concerned and supportive of China's economic and social development.

Dear Friends,

Over the past 73 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, tens of millions of Chinese have worked tirelessly and fearlessly to build their nation. They have been tested by hardships and proved by the tremendous achievements made in development. As a result, the Chinese nation has achieved the tremendous transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, China has made the historic achievements and shifts in the cause of the Party and the country. China achieved the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule and began a new journey toward the second centenary goal of building a modern socialist country in all respects, bringing about brighter prospects than ever before for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

This year, facing a complex and challenging development environment both at home and abroad, China has stayed committed to the general principle of making advances while maintaining stable performance, and it has striven to ensure both effective COVID-19 containment, economic stability and development security. We have continued to respond to COVID-19 and promote economic and social development in a well-coordinated way. Thus, to the greatest extent possible, we have both safeguarded the life and health of the people and ensured overall economic and social development. The fundamentals of China’s economy, characterized by strong resilience, enormous potential, ample room for policy adjustment and long-term sustainability, will remain sound. This will greatly boost the stability and recovery of the world economy and provide more market opportunities for other countries.

Dear Friends,

Barbados is China's good friend and good partner in the eastern Caribbean. Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between our two countries 45 years ago, the bilateral ties have maintained a sound momentum of growth. The two countries have carried out fruitful cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, culture, education and health care, setting an exemple of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development between countries of different sizes. Last July, President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, reaching a series of important consensus and charting the course for the future development of China-Barbados relations.

 So far this year, in the field of practical cooperation, the construction of Sam Lord’s Castle Hotel, with preferential loan of China, has entered final stage. China-aided project, the Center for Food Security and Entrepreneurship, has started construction. China and Barbados have also signed a Concessional Loan Agreement for Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Project; China has further provided anti-epidemic and medical assistance as well as disaster prevention and mitigation assistance to Barbados; while major progress has been made regarding the National Stadium Redevelopment project.

With regard to the people-to-people and cultural exchanges field, the Chinese Embassy in Barbados donated 50 laptops to the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training of Barbados to help teachers and students affected by COVID-19 pandemic participate in online learning. The Zibo People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries in China established ties with the Association for Barbados-China Friendship in Barbados. The Fish and Dragon Festival as well as cultural activities to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival have been held for eight years in a row. The Confucius Institute of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus held a variety of activities including the "China in my eyes" painting competition. China also granted government scholarship to 4 Barbadian students to study in China.

Of particular note, we solemnly celebrated the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Barbados. H.E. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China and Senator Dr. the Most Honourable Jerome X. Walcott, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados exchanged congratulatory letters. We issued commemorative envelopes and held a series of events including online receptions, seminars, round-table forums, and online concerts. The Barbados Museum hosted an exhibition titled "From Beijing to Bridgetown", which brought the atmosphere of friendship between the two countries to a new level.

Dear Friends,

Next month, the Communist Party of China will convene its 20th National Congress. It will be an important meeting to be held at a critical time as China embarks on a new journey toward its second centenary goal of building a modern socialist country in all respects. We will continue to follow the Chinese path to modernization to achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and we will continue to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. By doing so, we will create new opportunities for the world with new advances in China’s development and contribute our vision and strength to world peace and development and human progress.

This year marks the 45th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Barbados. China would like to work with Barbados to further advance the bilateral relations under the guidance of President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, continuously enhance political mutual trust, promote the Belt and Road Cooperation, join hands to implement the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, and build a higher level of China-Barbados relations which will benefit the people of our two countries and lead to the China-Barbados community with a shared future.

May the People's Republic of China enjoy prosperity and its people happiness!

May China-Barbados friendship and cooperation grow from strength to strength!

Thank you!