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WITH AN increasing number of Chinese-backed projects now taking place locally, chairman of The Gleaner Company, Oliver Clarke, believes this is payback for Jamaica's controversial decision in the 1970s to give diplomatic support to the One-China Policy.
Listing education, arena facilities, promised loan funding and infrastructure development as some of the areas where the Chinese have made enormous contributions, Clarke said this illustrates that China tries to build relationships, if a commitment is given over time.
"Jamaica has really been reaping the rewards of a diplomatic stand it took in the 1970s," he emphasised.
"It is amazing to me that China could show such a reward to Jamaica and a return to Jamaica for that diplomatic step," added Clarke.
The Gleaner Company chairman was speaking at a banquet put on by the Jamaica China Friendship Association at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, on Sunday night to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
The Government of Jamaica formally recognised the PRC as the authentic representative of the state of China in November 1972.
Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ambassador Evadne Coye, who also spoke at the banquet, said six Caribbean countries have still not recognised the PRC government.
Similarities with China
Clarke identified several similarities between Jamaica and China, but argued that the communist state appears to be more supportive of its private sector development than is the case in Jamaica.
In addition, he said public-sector decisions appear to be made "much more quickly than we enjoy", and there appears to be less bureaucracy in the Asian country that is now seeing "an explosion of production and investment".
"I'm still waiting for The Gleaner to be able to report on a similar occurrence in Jamaica," he said.
"Somehow, in a communist country, the private sector is able to be more dynamic and expansive ... that's an unusual exercise," he added.
Fay Pickersgill, president of the Jamaica-China Friendship Assoc-iation, said the group has helped to promote greater understanding between the people of the two countries.
The function was attended by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, Lady Allen and Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica Zheng Qingdian.
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