H.E. Dr. Nicholas J.O. Liverpool, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica and Mrs. Liverpool,
Hon. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit,
Hon. Ministers of the Cabinet,
Hon. Parliamentary Representatives,
His Worship Cecil Joseph, Mayor of Roseau,
Members of Diplomatic Corps,
Members of the Media,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening and welcome to the reception. Today, we are gathering here again to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Commonwealth of Dominica.
Ladies and gentlemen,
On this special occasion, let us indulge ourselves again in the honey moon of our bilateral relations since the signing of the Joint Communiqué on 23rd March, 2004. Let us recall the comprehensive accomplishment of various aspects throughout the 4 years, which accumulated to a new height in the year 2007.
Last April, Hon. Prime Minister Skerrit visited China for the third time. In July, Her Excellency Gu Xiulian, Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress paid her official visit to Dominica. Just 2 months later, Hon. Minister George, Hon. Minister Savarin and Hon. Minister Bannis-Roberts attended the 2nd China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum held in Xiamen, China. In addition, while several Chinese delegations visited Dominica last year, Permanent Secretary in the Foreign Ministry, Mr. Ferrol also visited China. The frequent bilateral exchanges greatly strengthened the mutual understanding of our two peoples and the political mutual trust between our respective governments.
Meanwhile, China-funded projects in Dominica are gaining a higher momentum, leading to a further deepening of the bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
The punctual completion of the Windsor Park Sports Stadium fulfilled the dream of Generations of men and women in Dominica, and it instills in them a sense of national pride and solidarity. As a key social infrastructure, it's widely known as a spectacular landmark of the historic City of Roseau.
After the accomplishment of the Phase-1 mission, the Chinese Agricultural Team resumed with the Phase-2, continuing transferring advanced agricultural technologies and new varieties to Dominican farmers.
Following the ending of the preliminary investigation, the West Coast Road project is very much on the cards. Soon after, a group of Chinese technicians and workers will arrive in Dominica to realize this very promise made by the Chinese government, which will dramatically improve the overall condition of both transportation and tourism.
Adding to China's commitment and sincerity to support Dominica in developing its national economy, a group of 9 Chinese architects will arrive in Dominica this month on a 30-day inquiry mission for the projects of the Carib Territory housing and the primary school. The Roseau's Urban Renewal and Revitalization project is also on the list.
Furthermore, China is also dedicated to providing full university scholarships and human-resource training opportunities to Dominican people. There've been altogether 55 Dominican students being lucky beneficiaries of this program. They are making amazing academic progress, not only in Chinese language, but also in their respective majors. Recently, some of those students, who were on vacation back in Dominica, visited our embassy on purpose, and chatted with me joyfully in fluent Chinese. To my surprise, their pronunciation of some Chinese characters is even better than mine!
In terms of the human-resource training, more than 50 programs last year included various aspects. These kinds of education and training programs are more to come this year. Next month, 20 local police officers will depart for China on a new session of the training program provided by the Chinese government.
Besides, the Chinese government is doing its best within its ability to support the Universal Secondary Education Program initiated by the Dominican government through various forms of donations. On the request of the government of Dominica, a Chinese medical team will also be dispatched here to set medical cooperation in motion.
Throughout the year 2007, my steps have been marked in most of the constituencies. While making new friends, my understanding of Dominica is deepening day by day. From them, I realize, in a more profound sense, that Dominica is a distinctive nature island, blessed with heavenly scenery and strong and healthy people.
Ladies and gentlemen,
5 months ago, the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was successfully held in Beijing. Just two days ago, the new Chinese government was sworn in following the associated convening of the National People's Congress and the China People's Political Consultative Conference. China's well-known independent foreign policy was again underlined and developed during these conferences.
Though China is playing an increasingly important role in the international arena, it will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development. We maintain that the people of all countries should join hands and strive to build a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity, thus all of China's foreign aid is absolutely out of our sincerity and best within our ability, without any political preconditions at all.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we're now sharing the boundless joy since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Dominica, we cannot help highly praise again the strategic insight of Hon. Prime Minister Skerrit, the world's youngest, most progressive, vibrant and decisive statesman. It was with his strategic choice 4 years ago that the DLP government secured the break-up with Taiwan and recognized the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representative of China.
Here I would like to reiterate our stance on the Taiwan question. Taiwan is part of the sacred territory of the People's Republic of China, which is the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations. Known as the one-China principle, it is enshrined both in China's domestic law and in the UN resolution. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affairs, concerned with China's complete reunification and the fundamental interests of our country.
For years, we have been promoting a peaceful reunification of our motherland with maximum sincerity, by placing hope in the Taiwan people while never compromising in opposing secessionist activities. A couple of days later, the "Taiwan Independence" secessionists are likely to hold a so-called "Referendum on UN Membership", which is evidently against the spirits of the UN charter and universally opposed by the international community, because as an inalienable part of China, the destiny of Taiwan can only be determined by the 1.3-billion mainland people and the 23-million Taiwan people as a whole.
I deeply appreciate the efforts by the Dominican government and people in the unswerving observation of the one-China principle, and the consistent support in all regional and international arenas in this regard.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is universally recognized by the international community that Tibet is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. Since its democratic reform in 1959, earth-shaking changes have been witnessed in Tibet. Nowadays, Tibet enjoys high religious freedom, harmonious inter-ethnic relations, diversified cultural development, economic prosperity and an increasing living standard, thanks to the constant large-scale investment from the central government. It is the common aspiration of all ethnic groups in Tibet to maintain national unification, ethnic solidarity, and social harmony.
However, this satisfactory scenery was disturbed by a serious criminal act of violence taking place recently in Lhasa, Capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. It involved beating, destruction of property, looting and arson, which had seriously jeopardized the life and property of the local people and undermined law and public order. Ample evidence has proven that it was premeditated, organized and instigated by the Dalai clique, and perpetrated by the separatist forces for "Tibetan Independence" both in and outside China acting in collusion
The competent authorities of the Tibet Autonomous Region, under the leadership of the Central Government, have dealt with the incident in accordance with law with an intention to maintain social stability and the sanctity of law, and to safeguard the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups in Tibet. The law enforcement personnel exercised maximum restraint during the whole process.
The situation in Lhasa had been basically put under control after last Friday's commotion. Businesses have begun reopening since Tuesday. Schools, factories and government institutions have also resumed operation. The main streets have been crowded again with buses, taxies and bicycles.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In just 5 days' time, the Olympic Flame, symbolizing peace, friendship and hope, will be lit in Greece. The subsequent Torch Relay will be the prelude to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The Torch Relay is featured with the theme, "Journey of Harmony" and the slogan, "Lighting the Passion and Sharing the Dream." These ideas reflect the enthusiasm of Chinese people for the forthcoming Olympic Games and their heartfelt longing for peace and friendship. It embodies the traditional Chinese philosophy of seeking harmony between body and mind, between mankind and nature, as well as among people themselves. It also marks the pursuit of peaceful development of our modern China.
Lots of major preparations have been made by now, including the newly-built Terminal-3 of the Capital Airport of Beijing, which was designed by a British architect. The Guardian, a famous British newspaper, compared this building with the Heathrow Airport's new Terminal-5 as below," it is about twice the size, half the cost and planned and built in almost a third of the time, which was a three-and-a-half-year sprint." Up to now, 30 Olympic competition venues in Beijing, out of the total 31, have already been completed, with the last and the most important one, the National Olympic Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, to end this rope by early April.
As the countdown clock ticks for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing, a city with thousands of years of history, is reaching out to embrace friends from all over the world. Any attempt to link the issue of Tibet, the issue of Darfur or any other political issues to the Olympic Games runs counter to its spirit and the universally recognized principle of not politicizing sports. It is also against the wish of the people of the whole world who want to see a successful Olympic Games.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Since the Dominica Labor Party came to power independently in 2005, profound changes have taken place around the island thanks to the appropriate policies carried out by the DLP government. Today, Dominicans enjoy a stable political environment, sustainable economic growth and a harmonious society with substantially low crime rate. Ranking NO.4 in the Gross National Happiness around the world, Dominica has already received compliments from several academic reports of the IMF and the World Bank. This year is Dominica's 2008 Reunion Year, a banner calling for your nation's pride and solidarity. Reviving from the ravages of Hurricane Dean, Dominican people are poised to embrace an even bright future, believing in the responsible captain of the ship of State, Hon. Prime Minister Skerrit, to steer your country to a better place – a place where the people of Dominica can have the opportunity to contribute to improving the quality of their lives.
However, challenges live together with opportunities. The deterioration of the external economic environment, the critical situation of the energetic security and the acceleration of the global warming, combined with the unequal international political and economic order, are closing on developing countries, both Dominica and China included. Therefore, closer relationship and all-dimension cooperation are imperative to our two nations should we seek more effective measures to better cope with such said challenges and others in kind, or even to convert them into opportunities for the development of economy and the improvement of people's livelihood.
In that case, on the proposition of Hon. Prime Minister Skerrit, I am honored to announce the foundation of the Steering Committee of the Dominica-China Friendship Association, headed by His Worship Cecil Joseph, Mayor of Roseau!
I firmly believe that functioning as a rainbow bridge connecting China and Dominica across the oceans, the DCFA will further enhance the mutual understanding of our peoples, facilitate the bilateral exchange and cooperation in respect to economy, technology and culture, help discover and safeguard our common interests, and plant the seeds of eternal friendship in the hearts of both Chinese and Dominican people.
Ladies and gentlemen,
To end my speech, may I propose a toast:
To the health of H.E. President Liverpool and Mrs. Liverpool, Hon. Prime Minister Skerrit and other distinguished guests!
To the newly-founded Dominica-China Friendship Association, headed by His Worship, Cecil Joseph,!
To the friendship between China and Dominica!