The People's Republic of China and Jamaica formally established diplomatic relations on November 21, 1972. In 1973, China opened its Embassy in Jamaica.
Over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral friendly relations and cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and other fields have developed steadily. In international affairs, the two countries share much common ground and common interests and have always supported and closely cooperated with each other.
As early as on the eve of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Jamaica, the two countries had developed trade relations and already had some exchanges of trade missions. After the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral economic and trade ties further developed. The two sides have conducted frequent personnel exchanges for economic cooperation and bilateral trade.
China's contracted labor services in Jamaica began in the 1980's. At present, Chinese labor services are engaged mainly in clothes-making in enterprises with Hong Kong or Taiwan investment and are increasing in numbers year by year.
Jamaica is China's biggest trading partner in English-speaking Caribbean countries. The major products China imports from Jamaica are cane sugar, aluminum and bauxite. The major products China exports are textiles, clothing and light industrial products. According to statistics of China General Administration of Customs, bilateral trade volume in 2002 totaled $114 million, a 3% drop compared with the previous year.
The Chinese export volume accounted for $65.97 million, a 22.5% drop as compared with the previous year; while the Chinese import volume was $48.80 million, a 43.8% increase as compared with the previous year.
