Vice Foreign Minister Li Jinzhang Holds Talks with Permanent Secretary Saunders

On April 8, 2008, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Jinzhang held talks with Permanent Secretary of Jamaica's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Douglas Anthony Clive Saunders, who is here in China to launch the meeting mechanism between officials of the two countries' foreign ministries. Both sides announced the official launch of the meeting mechanism and signed a memorandum of understanding on the meeting mechanism between officials of the two foreign ministries.

During the talks, Li spoke highly of the development of China-Jamaica relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties 36 years ago, emphasizing that the Chinese government attaches great importance to developing ties with Jamaica. Li said the meeting mechanism between officials of the two foreign ministries will become a new platform for keeping closer exchanges and cooperation between the two foreign ministries, building up political trust and pushing forward bilateral ties. China is ready to work with Jamaica to inject new vitalities into the continuous development of "the friendly partnership of common development" between the two countries.

Vice Foreign Minister Li Jinzhang and Permanent Secretary Saunders attend the signing ceremony

Saunders said Jamaica has always given top priority to ties with China and thanks for China's long-standing disinterested assistance to Jamaica, expressing hope to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas. The Jamaica Labour Party government will continue to remain committed to enhancing and deepening bilateral ties, he added. Reaffirming Jamaica's adherence to the one-China policy, Saunders said his country supports the Chinese government's handling of the Lhasa riots and wishes the Beijing Olympic Games a great success, for which Li expressed appreciation.