In 2013, the friendly partnership for common development between the People's Republic of China and Jamaica continued to expand and deepen.
The two countries had close high-level exchanges and enjoyed increasing political trust. During his visit to Trinidad and Tobago in June, President Xi Jinping held a bilateral meeting with Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller. In March, Prime Minister Simpson-Miller sent a congratulatory message to President Xi Jinping and a congratulatory letter to Premier Li Keqiang on their assumption of office. In August, Prime Minister Simpson-Miller paid a visit to China, during which she had meetings and talks with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman Zhang Dejiang of the NPC. In May, Jamaican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Arnold Nicholson came to China to attend the Global Services Forum-Beijing Summit, and met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. In May, Jamaican Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Roger Clarke attended the First China-Latin America and the Caribbean Agricultural Ministers' Forum in China. In December, Jamaican Minister of Finance, Planning and Public Service Peter Phillips visited China.
In October, the new Chinese ambassador to Jamaica Dong Xiaojun presented his credentials to Jamaican Governor General Patrick Allen.
Economic and trade cooperation made positive headway. The Rehabilitation of Sligoville's Road and Water Systems conducted with Chinese government assistance and the National Road Network Improvement Project contracted by Chinese companies were completed. The North-South Highway Project had its groundbreaking early in the year.
People-to-people, cultural and military exchanges were vibrant. In August, an art troupe from Henan made a performance tour to Jamaica and was warmly received by local people. In October, Deputy Chief of Defense Staff Rocky Ricardo Meade of the Jamaica Defense Force attended the Forum for Senior Defense Officials from Caribbean and South Pacific Countries in China.
