The celebration brought together diplomats and UN Agencies who shared their joy with the People’s Republic of China. The occasion showcased various development initiatives undertaken in The Gambia supported by the Government of People’s Republic of China and highlighted the strong bilateral relations that both nations have mutually shared over the years.
Speaking at the anniversary, Chargé d'affaires Zhou Ningyu of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in The Gambia said that over the past 75 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and with persistent hard work of the Chinese people, China had achieved a great transformation from a poor and backward country into a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
China has also embarked on a new journey to build a great country and achieve national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernisation, he said, pointing out that China has secured the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that suits national conditions, saying that in a short span of several decades, China has completed industrialisation that took developed countries several centuries.
“Through this historic course, China has achieved two miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability,” he said. “The successful advancement of Chinese modernization has created a new form of human advancement, which encourages other developing countries to explore their own paths of development.”
He added that China-Gambia relations have had a long history and good tradition, saying that fifty years ago, with their wisdom and courage, the visionary leaders of both countries forged a strong China-Gambia friendship.
He further said the Chinese government and people firmly supported The Gambia’s struggle for independence and autonomy, while the Gambian government and people firmly supported China on the world stage.
He recounted that the National Independence Stadium, “China Rice”, and the Chinese medical team have left touching memories in the people of both countries, which remains inexhaustible treasure of China-Gambia relations.
Eight years ago, he recalled, China and The Gambia resumed diplomatic relations, bringing the relationship back on track with strong momentum, adding that under the strategic guidance of H.E. President Xi and H.E. President Adama Barrow, “political trust between the two countries has deepened continuously, cooperation in various areas has flourished, and people-to-people exchanges have strengthened”, yielding fruitful results.
The Gambia’s Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow said the celebration was marked to reflect on the achievements of China and its invaluable contributions to the socioeconomic development of many nations, including The Gambia.
“Since the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and The Gambia, the partnership has flourished, grounded in mutual respect, shared interests, and a common vision for progress,” he highlighted. “China has been an unwavering ally in our development journey, providing critical support across various sectors. As we celebrate China’s 75th anniversary, we also celebrate the bonds of friendship and cooperation that have brought immense benefits to The Gambia.”
Continued VP Jallow: “China has been instrumental in financing and constructing key projects that have transformed our landscape. The Gambian International Conference Center, a state-of-the-art facility, stands as a symbol of the strength of our bilateral relationship and China's commitment to The Gambia's development.”
The vice president also applauded China's involvement in road and bridge construction in The Gambia, which has enhanced connectivity, enabled the smoother movement of people and goods, and fostered regional integration.
“These investments have not only improved Gambia’s infrastructure but have also opened up new economic opportunities for the Gambian people,” he added.
