Speech of Ambassador Wang Zonglai to mark 7th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Dominica and China

Good evening and welcome to the reception marking the 7th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Commonwealth of Dominica. To most of the distinguished guests here, it is our second time to meet in person within just a quarter of the year. As an ancient Chinese saying goes: strangers at the first meeting, but friends at the second. I believe such frequent communication and exchange of ideas will not only facilitate the familiarization of a friendly face, but also promote the cooperation and coordination in our daily work. Once again, I’d like to express sincere gratitude to you distinguished guests for lending me help in various ways.

Along the 7-year journey, we have witnessed frequent high-level visits, deepening political mutual trust, enhancing cooperation in trade, culture, education, health and other areas, which have already borne considerable fruits. China-Dominica relations have always demonstrated as sound and dynamic.

China-funded economic and social projects in Dominica are undergoing smoothly and rapidly. The symbolic Roseau to Portsmouth Road Rehabilitation Project has just passed its Mid-term Quality Inspection. The Agricultural Economic and Technical Cooperation Project has entered its 3rd phase, adding the number of resident agricultural experts to 8. The Windsor Park Stadium Maintenance Team and the Chinese Medical Specialists will soon start their 3rd and 2nd term of service, respectively. The State College and State House Projects, utilizing concessionary loans, are expected to break ground in the coming two months.

The cooperation in human resource training between China and Dominica continues with the sound momentum. Last year, more than 20 Dominican officials and technicians attended the seminars and training courses in China in various fields. This year, the Chinese government is providing 10 more full scholarship opportunities for the Dominican students who intend to pursue higher education in Chinese universities, totaling the number to 100, an eye-catching milestone in our educational cooperation.

Time flies. There has been more than two months since I came ashore as the new Chinese Ambassador to Dominica, and I was able to get a clearer picture of the “nature isle” and its people, compared with that at our first gathering. Wherever I go and through whatever I read or hear, I can feel most people commend highly of the achievements of our bilateral relations and are willing to commit to further nurturing the friendship between our two peoples. Meanwhile, a few people do harbor certain doubts or misgivings in this regard, largely due to lack of information and misunderstanding. We see these thoughts as natural as coming across a river when building a road, which can be overcome by bridges of communication. That’s why I’d like to take this opportunity to make some clarifications.

First of all, China’s foreign aid is based on the principles of equality, reciprocity, common development and non-political-preconditions. These principles were announced by H.E. Premier Zhou Enlai during his visit to Africa in 1964 and have been complied with by the Chinese government consistently in every aid project, regardless of the geographic location, size, political system or economic situation of the receiving country.

Secondly, it is a world-wide knowledge that every country having diplomatic relations with China adheres to the One China Policy and supports China’s peaceful reunification. As a responsible emerging economy, China feels obliged to help our friends in need, especially developing countries, develop national economy and improve people’s standard of living. The Dominican government, headed by Hon. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, has been unswervingly upholding the One China Policy and has rendered valuable support to and close coordination with China in international affairs, to which we’re indeed grateful.

Thirdly, in line with China’s foreign aid principles, each project being implemented here was determined jointly by the authorities of both our countries, taking into consideration its functions and potentials, in an effort to create new elements of growth, to benefit as much Dominican people as possible and to help develop a self-reliance economy in Dominica.

Fourthly, the Chinese contractors charged with the responsibility of those aid projects were chosen through a rigid tender process, which ensured that they commit the best materials, equipments and designs within their capability to the projects at a reasonable price, stipulated according to the international market. In light of the nature of these projects as inter-government aid, the Chinese authorities demand that they be completed in time and not exceed the cost limits. Meanwhile, we do encourage the companies to use local materials, equipments and labor, and to take the advices of the local engineers.

Fifthly, the Chinese experts, technicians and workers dispatched here are all elites of their group and have received adequate training in performing overseas tasks before leaving China. They came here from tens of thousands of miles away, work day and night and are provided with simple and crude accommodations, because they feel proud to devote their energy and expertise to the glorious course of promoting China-Dominica friendship.

As I know, there’s a Mr. Yao from the Stadium Maintenance Team, who has consecutively worked here for 2 years. All local people who know this man will describe him as professional in working but thrifty in lodging and dining. As a matter of fact, he does have the right and funding to acquire better accommodations and take vacation back to China. Yet he gives them up voluntarily in order to commit more time and resources to providing continuous high-quality service to the Stadium, while chatting with his family via Internet from time to time and composing poems extolling his life here for spiritual relief. He is a model worker of China and a true friend of the Dominican people. And he is just one of the many examples alike.

The last but the most importantly, for years, China has always pursued an independent foreign policy of peace and has adhered to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, namely, mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. We respect the choice of people in every country in regard to their way of development and have no intention to inflict influence upon anyone. As H.E. Premier Wen Jiabao answered a question from a French journalist during the press conference after the annual session of the National People’s Congress several days ago, “we never think we have formed a pattern of development but have just chosen a way that suits China’s conditions. We think every country needs to find its own suitable way of development, which should be universally respected and could be referential to each other in seeking common prosperity.”

Dominicans are a kind-hearted people. To you, I’m not only full of genuine sentiments, but also want to be a frank friend. The purpose of what I said above is to promote the understanding of China’s foreign policy and to secure the smooth implementation of those aid projects as to benefit the Dominican people in a larger scale.

Thanks to the understanding and support of the Dominican friends from all circles, our bilateral relations have been making gratifying progress on every front over the 7 years. At the same time, I totally agree with the saying that the relationship has only just begun. I firmly believe, with all your continuous attention and assistance, added by the joint efforts of the Chinese Specialist Teams and compatriots living in Dominica, together with the consistent commitment of both of our governments, China-Dominica relations will surely grow from strength to strength!