On 24th December, 2021, local media PointExpress carried an article authored by Her Excellency Madame Zhang Yanling, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Antigua and Barbuda, titled “Pursue win-win cooperation and write a new chapter of friendship”.

 In the article Ambassador Zhang congratulated Antigua and Barbuda on its 40th Anniversary of Independence and spoke highly of the friendly exchanges and practical cooperation between China and Antigua and Barbuda over the past 38 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties. Ambassador Zhang deliberated on the significance of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee and the Third Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, and expressed her hope that the two countries would take the implementation of the Global Development Initiative as an opportunity to work together for win-win cooperation and write a new chapter of friendship. The full text is as follows:

I am very honored to be newly appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Antigua and Barbuda. Though it is just around a month since my arrival, I have been deeply impressed by the most splendid tropical land and seascape of this twin-island country and its unique culture.

Antigua and Barbuda turns 40 this year. Just like its national motto goes, “Each endeavoring, All achieving”. Since its independence, the sons and daughters of Antigua and Barbuda have spared nothing and given it all for national development. With the joint efforts of the people of Antigua and Barbuda, the past 40 years witness significant economic and social development of the country, improved people’s livelihood, as well as increasing regional and international influence. Now Antigua and Barbuda is playing an even more important role in promoting regional integration and leading Small Island Developing States in the collective response to climate change.

The people of China will never forget that Antigua and Barbuda was the first Eastern Caribbean country to establish diplomatic ties with China. The building of the Big Creek Bridge, which is the first cooperation project between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic ties, has not only facilitated the travel of local residents across a major waterway, but has since become a symbol of friendship between the two countries.

 For the past several decades, China and Antigua and Barbuda have always respected each other, pursued win-win cooperation and worked together to address common challenges. On the special occasion of the 40th Anniversary of Independence of Antigua and Barbuda, President Xi Jinping of China extended warm congratulations and best wishes to the leader, government, and people of Antigua and Barbuda, reiterating that China highly values its relations with Antigua and Barbuda, and stand ready to work with the latter to further bring the friendly relationship between the two countries to a new level.

The Year 2021 is also of special significance for the Chinese people, as it marks the centenary of the Communist Party of China(CPC). Since its founding in 1921, the Party has made seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation its mission. With the relentless efforts of generations of the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC, China has achieved national independence and the people’s liberation, made the historic leap to the world’s second largest economy, and has built a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

At this important juncture, the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China convened its sixth plenary session in Beijing  early November. This was a meeting that was intended to build on past successes to strive for new progress. It summed up the major achievements and historical experience of the CPC over the past century, and also provided an important impetus for China to move towards the second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. China has successfully embarked on its own path of modernization, created a new form of human civilization and opened up new avenues for developing countries to pursue modernization. Along this journey, despite of being faced with various difficulties and challenges, the CPC has remained firmly committed to doing the right thing and led the Chinese people to follow the path of our own choice. The CPC and the Chinese people have strong confidence in the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. At the same time, we fully respect the independent choices of others for their own development paths.

When President Xi addressed the third Ministerial Meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States via video link on December 3, 2021, he pointed out that both China and CELAC are facing new epoch tasks to promote post-pandemic recovery and strive for people's happiness. China stands ready to work with LAC countries to overcome difficulties, create opportunities, and jointly build a community with a shared future for global development.

The first day of the year 2022 marks the 39th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Antigua and Barbuda. Let’s hold the golden key of development and speed up the implementation of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. In this regard, the Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi provides a new opportunity for the international community to tap the potential for cooperation in the eight priority areas including poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 and vaccines, financing for development, climate change and green development, industrialization, digital economy, and connectivity.

Poised for a new start, China would continue to work with Antigua and Barbuda to write a new chapter of friendship by further consolidating strategic mutual trust, deepening practical cooperation, overcoming challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, promoting economic recovery, and jointly safeguarding the UN-centered international system. We at the Chinese Embassy in Antigua and Barbuda will work tirelessly towards this goal.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the friends in Antigua and Barbuda a very happy new year!