The
new Gambia Government has expressed its determination to uphold the One China
policy and fully support the Chinese government to unify its rightful
territory.
We
believe this stance is in the right direction, as there is only one China in
the world, which is the People’s Republic of China, the sole legal government
representing the whole of China.
The
Gambia government has, therefore, made a wise decision to remain resolute in
upholding the One China policy and support the government of that country to
unify its rightful territory, especially so that both nations have common and
shared values underpinned by the principles of mutual trust and respect, as
well as a common sense of purpose to cooperate for the advancement of the
welfare of the peoples of both countries.
It
is also essential to recall that China and The Gambia resumed diplomatic ties
last year, with both nations establishing embassies in each other’s country in
March 2016.
Although
we as a nation went round through the sea of Taiwan in our diplomatic ties -
before arriving at the sea of China, we have, at this short space of our ties,
started seeing the good of it, as the relationship has started bearing fruits.
For
instance, since 2015 when China-Africa Cooperation was lifted to a new height
at the successful Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
(FOCAC), President Xi Jinping announced that China would implement ten
cooperation plans with Africa in the next three years, and would provide US$60
billion financial support accordingly.
The
Gambia is very well captured in the FOCAC family, which means we are blessed to
benefit from the fruitful China-Africa renewed ties.
Indeed,
just in about ten months since the China-Gambia ties were renewed we have
started seeing the good impacts of it.
This
is confirmed by a recent statement of the Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia at
the celebrations, on 29 September last year, marking China’s 67th Independence
Anniversary in Banjul.
The
Chinese Ambassador said: “China-Gambia bilateral relations now enjoy a dynamic
momentum of development. Our mutual understanding is deepening, our economic
and commercial cooperation is expanding, our people-to-people exchanges are
lively, our coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues
is strong.
“A
lot have been achieved in just six months. We have agreed to launch an
International Conference Center project as the flagship of our cooperation
priorities.
“The
first group of Gambian students on Chinese Government Scholarships has started
their study in China. Nanning city and Banjul have renewed their sister links
and carried out the exchange of visits. And there are more being worked out and
implemented which I believe will soon come to fruition for the benefit of our
two countries and peoples.”
With
these trust and cooperation, we believe maintaining our ties with the People’s
Republic of China is in the right direction. There is essentially one China and
it is wise enough to follow what is right.
“Every
word we speak, every action we take, has an effect on the totality of humanity.
None can escape that privilege - or that responsibility.”
Laurie
Beth Jones