On November 1st, 1981, Antigua and Barbuda, a shining pearl in the beautiful Caribbean Sea, declared independence and became a member of the international community and the people there started their peaceful journey of freedom, democracy and equality thereafter. Up to now, it has been 35 brilliant years for the industrious, brave and intelligent people of Antigua and Barbuda to construct a "united and sovereign democratic country" while singing Beautiful Antigua and Barbuda. The Government and people of the People's Republic of China were elated to share the happiness with the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda for obtaining independence, freedom and democracy, and have been offering firm and selfless support to Antigua and Barbuda on the path of national development during the past 35 years. On this special occasion of celebrating the 35th Anniversary of independence, I, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the Government and brotherly people of Antigua and Barbuda.
We will not forget that, on January 1st, 1983, the Government of People's Republic of China and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda declared the establishment of diplomatic relations. Antigua and Barbuda became the first country in the Eastern Caribbean region to establish the ambassadorial diplomatic relations with China. Hon. V.C. Bird, father of Antigua and Barbuda and pioneer of the friendship between our two countries, laid a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relation. During the past 30-plus years, the two countries have been supporting each other, cooperating and working together for common development with hearts linking closely regardless of numerous miles of distance geographically.
We will not forget that, the former Prime Minister and father of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon. V.C. Bird visited China in 1983 followed by Hon. Lester Bird in 1997 and Hon. Baldwin Spencer in 2004. More recently, Hon. Gaston Browne, two months after becoming the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda in 2014, paid an official visit to China and attended the closing ceremony of the Second Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. This visit opened a new chapter for the development of friendship between our two countries and peoples. Now, the friendly cooperation relations are standing at a new starting point. The friendship has been further deepened and new achievements on pragmatic cooperation have been made continuously since then.
We highly appreciate the unswerving adherence to the One-China Policy adopted by successive Antiguan and Barbudan Governments. We also appreciate the principled stand of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda which firmly supports that the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate representative of the entire Chinese people and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's sacred territory.
We highly appreciate the mutual effort and support with the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda on international issues of our common concern, which are based on mutual respect & understanding and win-win spirit, with the hope of safeguarding the world peace, pursuing international fairness and justice, and for the bright future of human beings worldwide.
We highly appreciate the Government of Antigua and Barbuda on the recognition of the full market economy status of China and the promotion of pragmatic economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, and the Eastern Caribbean region at large, which has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples. Inexpensive and fine goods from China and emerging Chinese supermarkets locally have largely improved the level of people's life in Antigua and Barbuda.
Although Antigua and Barbuda and China are far apart and different from their national conditions, our two countries have always respected each other with mutual understanding, mutual support and trust since the establishment of diplomatic relation. This kind of relation turned to be an international model of equality, unity, cooperation and mutual benefit regardless of the size of countries. I am confident that Antigua and Barbuda will continue to provide valuable support to China's core interests and major concerns, while China will, as always, provide assistance within its capacity to firmly support Antigua and Barbuda in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests.
China always upholds the principle that all countries should be treated equally. This principle is not only the consistent foreign policy of the Chinese government, but also the norms of international relations enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and universally followed by countries worldwide. I am satisfied and encouraged by the development of the relations between China and Antigua and Barbuda and the deepened brotherly friendship between our people. I am confident with the bright future of the cooperation.
China respects the sovereignty of all countries and their people's independent choices of development and never attaches any political conditions to bilateral cooperation or interfere the internal affairs of any other countries. As a developing country, China's GDP per capita just surpassed 8,000 US Dollars. There are 70 million Chinese people still living below the poverty line set by the United Nations. However, it is China's international obligation to provide necessary development assistance to other developing countries, including Antigua and Barbuda. Like other countries in the world, Antigua and Barbuda enjoys the right of development and the people here have the same vision for better lives. The Chinese government and people, as well as the Chinese Embassy here, will firmly support the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda to follow the path of development which is based on its own national condition. We will, at our capacity, continue to provide necessary assistance to the development of Antigua and Barbuda so as to improve the people's lives and the ability of self-development. China's assistance is limited but is always with sincerity and selflessness.
Antigua and Barbuda is an important country in the Eastern Caribbean region. The cooperation between China and Antigua and Barbuda is an epitome of China's friendly relations with foreign countries. As the 14th Chinese Ambassador and the 7th residential Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, I am committed to further promoting the ever existing friendship and cooperation in various of fields between our two countries to better benefit our peoples. It is my hope that Antigua and Barbuda will make greater achievements on national development, its people enjoy more harmonious and happy lives, and this beautiful Caribbean Pearl enjoys a broader prospects.
May Antigua and Barbuda continue to prosper and the people enjoy happiness!
Long live the friendship between China and Antigua and Barbuda!