Thirty Years and Counting

I cannot begin to conceive that today, October 1, 2006, I am Thirty Years old. Where did the years go? I came into being on August 1, 1976, but as my name had been selected and I was being constantly talked about before I was born, I quickly realised I was a very important person.

My name is Jamaica-China Friendship Association and I belong to an elite worldwide organization known as the China Friendship Associations. My sister Associations, can be found in almost every country in the world and letter of the alphabet from “A” (Australia China) to “Y” (Yemen China), not counting the other 1,000-odd friendship cities in China who maintain friendship-city activities with other countries. Our mentor, who lives in Beijing, China, is the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

In 1976, China was a strange, mystic far-off place to Jamaicans who, 30 years ago, were probably more acquainted with Chinese cuisine than with the country itself.As you can guess from my name, the purpose of my being is to promote friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries. I was born with lofty ideals: to strengthen people-to-people friendly exchanges; develop good neighbourhood relations of mutual trust; promote friendly contacts between our two peoples, and enhance mutual exchanges and cooperationin the economic, social, cultural, technological and educationalfields. I would also organize yearly visits to China to showcase her wonders and spread her history and achievements to all.

Through the years I have experienced ups and downs―caused mainly by the many changes of my guardians. This I understand and accept. It would be just too tiring for the same person to have looked after my welfare all these years. I feel proud however, that in my 30 years of life I have had only 10 guardians whom I affectionately call president. They have been: James Lowe Kam Hugh (deceased), Maurice Tenn (deceased), Janet Lui-Terry, Hyacinth Murray (deceased), Yvonne Binns, Anthony Chang, Albert Lee, Sam Wong Chew Onn, and currently Joyce Wong Chew Onn.

I have done and seen so much in my 30 years. I have hosted various visiting presidents, vice presidents and ambassadors, entertaining them at natural beauty spots such as Duns River Falls; arranged countless receptions, banquets, conferences and exhibitions, and have led numerous delegations all over China, promoting Jamaica and visiting my mentor, CPAFFC. However, among my most cherished memories are (1) Hosting our former Governor General, His Excellency Sir Howard Cooke, who graciously consented to be my patron. What a feather in my cap! (2) Having the great honour to be presented to China’s President Jiang Zemin on the occasion of a visit to China by His Excellency Sir Howard Cooke. How proud I was and how I wished my sister associations around the world could have seen me! (3) Greeting and welcoming the presidents of CPAFFC when they visited Jamaica. Firstly, President Qi Huaiyuan on November 5, 2000. Then President Chen Haosu on November 25, 2002. I understand that my birthday will be acknowledged on November 12, 2006 with celebrations taking the form of published congratulatory messages and a Chinese banquet at which quite a number of dignitaries have been invited. I feel sad I am unable to share this honour with my sister associations around the world, but in spirit, will send them all a greeting from Jamaica with a very special one for CPAFFC. In this year 2006, Jamaicans are more aware and appreciative of China than ever before, but my work is far from being done. There is so much more that I want to accomplish and I am eager to continue nurturing the relationship between us. I have a new patron, the new governor general, His Excellency Professor Kenneth Hall who I feel sure will aid and advise. I will keep you updated on my successes in the coming years, so stay tuned!

Long live the friendship between Jamaica and the People's Republic of China.