Antigua and Barbuda is known as "the Gem of the Caribbean". Regrettably, I have not yet fully appreciated the beauty of it since I came here three months ago, due to the coronavirus pandemic. But I do believe that the pandemic will eventually be overcome and life will return to normalcy.
I have personally witnessed the tremendous efforts made by the government and its people in Antigua and Barbuda to prevent and control COVID-19. Hence, I would like to congratulate the nation on its great achievements in that respect. I am also amazed that the members of the public have shown their solidarity by abiding by the COVID-19 protocols.
The national vaccine rollout is underway in both China and Antigua and Barbuda. As China has a population of more than 1.41 billion, vaccine is also in short supply at home. Nevertheless, China will honor its promise to donate 20,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine to the twin-island nation.
The reason behind is, first of all, mankind is a community with a shared future and a common stake. In face of virus, everyone breathes the same air and"COVID-19 spares no one". Second, though there is some selfish major power hoarding vaccines, China remains a responsible player and continues to reach out to help the world. Just as President Xi Jinping said, "China will make its vaccine a global public good".
The long geographical distance will never prevent the two countries from becoming close and reliable partners. "Good friends feel close even when they are thousands of miles apart"; this old Chinese saying can best describe the relationship between China and Antigua and Barbuda. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries on January 1, 1983, the bilateral cooperation has become closer and stronger with more and more tangible results achieved over the years.
Tourism is the most significant economic driver for the twin-island nation. Affected by external environments, however, the country has suffered economic downturn and financial shocks in recent years. China will thus continue to provide assistance to, and expand economic and technical cooperation with Antigua and Barbuda, with full efforts made on infrastructure and projects concerning people's livelihood, in order to improve its economic growth and people's life, as well as the capacity to cope with crisis by itself.
This hard time is only temporary, but the cooperation between the two countries is long-term and real. China represents opportunity and future. As the world's largest consumer market with the greatest potential, China is now accelerating its pace to foster a new development pattern and deepen reform and opening up. Antigua and Barbuda is already on the destination list for outbound Chinese citizens. And hopefully, the specialty products from the twin islands as lobster and rum will be more seen on the dinner table in China.
Though Antigua and Barbuda is a small country, "a small country can still be great with strong governance", as an old Chinese saying goes. The twin-island state pursues an independent foreign policy and explores development paths that suit its own characteristics; the "Father of the Nation" Sir Vere Cornwall Bird once said, that he resisted any attempt to advance their philosophy in his nation. After I came here, I also found out that the leaders of the nation displayed overwhelming charisma as leaders of great nations, when they always adhere to the "One China" principle. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister Hon. Gaston Browne and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Trade Hon. E. P. Chet Greene often criticize the practice of some neighboring powers neglecting the interests of small countries.
China is a big country, but it never bullies the small or imposes its path or will on others. These practices never belong to China's political and cultural traditions. In getting along with sincere and good friends like Antigua and Barbuda, China stresses integrity, friendship and morality, which are important cultural heritage of the Chinese nation; China also takes the lead in promoting equality, cooperation, and law-abiding. The era of "power is justice" has gone, and the practice of "whoever has the big fist has the final say" is old-fashioned and should be dumped into the trash can of history years ago.
Because of the special natural and geographical conditions, Antigua and Barbuda also faces the threat of natural disasters such as hurricanes, and suffers from the consequences of global warming and rising sea levels. I feel the same about that. China will continue to support and join hands with the nation to deal with upcoming challenges and difficulties.
I am very impressed by the national motto of the country--"Each endeavouring, all achieving". I believe with the joint efforts of the two governments and peoples, the bilateral cooperation will yield even more tangible results between China and Antigua and Barbuda.