Left: Bottoms up! Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Zhao Zhenyu, and Prime Minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson Miller, drink to the relations between both countries at the Chinese National Day reception held at the Hilton Kingston hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston on Tuesday. - Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica, Zhao Zhenyu, and wife, Wang Xiaoju, hosted a reception to commemorate the 57th National Day of the People's Republic of China. They also used the occasion to say farewell as their tour of duty is coming to an end. These were ample reasons for a cadre of prominent guests to attend, including Their Excellencies the Most Hon. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, and Mr. Miller and former Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke and Lady Cooke.

One of the hardest working diplomats this country has seen, Ambassador Zhao spoke of the tremendous growth his country had experienced. China currently ranks fourth in the world in terms of annual average growth rate and is the third largest trading country in the world. Ambassador Zhao also re-emphasised the strength of relations between both countries.

Lasting memories

"Both China and Jamaica belong to the developing countries. We share the same past of bitterness and we face the common goal to develop economy and improve people's livelihood," he said. On a sombre note, he saluted the friends they had made in Jamaica during their three and a half years.

"We are fortunate to have made so many friends during our stay in Jamaica. My wife and I will go home with lasting memory of this beautiful country and the warm hospitality of its people," he concluded.

Apart from the cuisine, which was again excellent, Chinese Great Wall wine and Shintao Beer were also available, as well as plenty of literature on the great country. Guests included Transport Minister Robert Pickersgill; Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe; President of the Senate Syringa Marshall-Burnett and husband Jasper; Ambassador Madge Barrett and husband Tunty Barrett; veteran photographer Ray Chen; Dr. Patrick Morris; Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke; High Commissioner for St. Kitts and Nevis Cedric Harper and wife Barbara; Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda; Nigerian High Commissioner Modupe Akintola; Dominican Republic Ambassador Filomena Navarro; Ecuadorian Consul Clelia Barreto de Hunter; French Ambassador Francis Hurtut; Ambassador Douglas Saunders and Angela Robertson; Delroy Chuck; Fay Pickersgill; Juan Carlos Espinola and wife Maria; Belgian Ambassador Herman Portocarero and wife Miriam; Argentine Ambassador José Piño and wife Fanny,and PSOJ president Beverley Lopez.

Left: Children from the Chinese Benevolent Association perform the national anthems at the Chinese National Day Reception.   Right: There have been many grand occasions at the Hilton Kingston hotel over the years, and the one on Tuesday night was one of them. Right: Former Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke (centre) wasn't about to miss the People's Republic of China National Day Reception, and why should he, when he's in the company of Filomena Navarro (left), Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, and Michelle Bovell.