On March 11th, 2022, the handover ceremony of medical supplies donated by the Chinese government to the Grenadian government for the fight against Covid-19 was held in General Hospital, St. George. Chinese Ambassador to Grenada, H.E. Wei Hongtian, Hon. Oliver Joseph, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business and CARICOM Affairs, and Hon. Nickolas Steele, Minister for Health and Social Security attended the ceremony. The following is the speech delivered by Ambassador Wei Hongtian at the ceremony:

Hon. Oliver Joseph, Minister for Foreign Affairs,

Hon. Nickolas Steel, Minister for Health, 

Mrs. St. Paul, PS of the Ministry of Health,

Friends from the Media,

Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

I am so happy to attend again the handover ceremony of anti-pandemic medical supplies donated by the Government of the People’s Republic of China to Grenada. This is the 8th batch of donation of medical supplies from China since the outbreak of COVID-19 two years ago. These goods, consist of masks, PPEs, antigen test kits and medical equipment, are contained in about 1200 boxes and worth EC$600,000. We hope that this donation will again provide help for the fight against COVID in Grenada.

Hon. Ministers, Friends,

Today, I also would like to take this occasion to briefly make three points as follows:

Firstly, China and Grenada have been working together and helping each other since the beginning of the pandemic, it is no doubt that this mutual support will add new momentum to the practical cooperation between the two friendly countries. Currently, the pandemic is far from over, we need to consolidate our effort and unity to further prevent and control the deadly virus. In this regard, China always stands ready to join hands with Grenada, and will continue to provide support and assistance to Grenada within our capability.

Secondly, although facing many challenges and difficulties due to the negative impacts of COVID-19, China overcomes all odds, and spares no effort to honor its commitments on the projects funded by China. With the enhanced coordination and cooperation of the two sides, the Housing Project Phase 2 was completed last December and was technically accepted by the Grenadian side last week, the Technical Cooperation of the National Athletics Stadium is going on well, the Upgrade Project of the Maurice Bishop Airport has entered substantial construction stage, the Renovation Project of the National Cricket Stadium and the Agriculture Technical Cooperation Phase 8 are expected to commence soon this year. Besides the above-mentioned, relevant Chinese local governments, and the Embassy of China will continue to reach out to the constituencies, local communities, schools and charity organizations in Grenada and implement small but practical programs for the benefits of the local peoples. I would like to affirm you that China is always ready for the further development of the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries for the wellbeing of our two peoples. And China will continue to make contributions to the socio-economic development of Grenada.

Thirdly, faced with the devastating pandemic, only by joining hands together can we tide over hard times. The inequity in medical supplies and vaccines distribution among countries is drastic and heart-wrenching, and this problem should be addressed by unity, cooperation, multilateralism and sense of responsibility, but not unilateralism and finger-pointing. China, as a major country in the world, has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a guardian of the international order. We uphold the basic norms of the international laws and seek to establish relations with other countries on the basis of mutual respect, justice and win-win cooperation. China is a country that makes no empty promises and always honor its words, and these principles are strictly followed in our engagement with our Grenadian friends. 

Thank you.