Jamaica and China have had fruitful, friendly relations since establishing diplomatic ties on November 21, 1972. Such relations are underpinned by the One China policy which Jamaica continues to observe. Jamaica is also committed to the deepening of the Friendly Partnership for Common Development between both countries.

China opened its Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica in 1973, whilst Jamaica opened its Embassy in Beijing, China in July 2005. The former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, K.D. Knight and the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Yang Jiechi, participated in the opening ceremony of the latter.

Jamaica’s first non-resident Ambassador to China, His Excellency Derrick Heaven, was appointed in 1992. Subsequent non-resident Ambassadors to China were His Excellencies Earl Carr and Paul Robotham. Jamaica’s first resident Ambassador to China, was His Excellency Wayne McCook who presented credentials on 27th July, 2005. Jamaica’s current Ambassador to China is His Excellency E. Courtenay Rattray, who presented credentials on 15th January 2009. The Ambassador of China to Jamaica is His Excellency Chen Jinghua.

Relations between the two countries continue to grow from strength to strength, with collaboration and friendly exchanges taking place at the bilateral level, highlighted by cooperation in the political, economic and cultural arenas. There has also been collaboration at the international level, with both countries working together on issues of mutual interest.

With respect to trade between the two countries, trade volume in 2009 reached US$253M and in the first half of 2010, it reached US$100.6 M.

　There have been frequent cultural, educational and sporting exchanges over the years. In June 2004, a Chinese Multimedia Language Laboratory was installed at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. Additionally, cooperation in education is highlighted through the assignment of Chinese instructors to Jamaica, in order to facilitate language training at the University. In February 2009, during the Official Visit of Vice President Xi Jinping to Jamaica, he inaugurated the Confucius Institute at the Mona Campus, the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean.

During the Official Visit of the Honourable Prime Minister Bruce Golding to China in February 2010, the Government of Jamaica made an offer of twelve (12) scholarships of a three-month summer intensive course of English Language training at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies. Ten short-term scholarships were also offered to Chinese nationals in the hospitality and tourism management field.

China continues to offer scholarships to Jamaican students who wish to pursue studies at the undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral levels. Each year as well, approximately 50 Jamaicans attend training courses of various types in China.

The collaboration between Jamaica and China also extends into the cultural arena. Jamaica has received several cultural groups from China over the years and Jamaican artistes were featured at the recently concluded Shanghai Expo. In September 2010, Jamaican pianist, Mr. Paul Shaw, gave a recital of Caribbean Art music at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.

Jamaica also participated in the 4th Beijing International Art Biennale held 20th September to 10th October 2010. The National Gallery of Jamaica submitted entries of art works for this event.