By Omar Bah
The Chinese ambassador to The Gambia, Zhang Jiming, has revealed that China has decided not to place any tax on all Gambian exports to China. The Ambassador further disclosed that some 150 Gambians will be going to China for a short term studies this year on scholarship, up from 12 last year.
Speaking at a cocktail reception hosted for Gambian journalists, the ambassador said the relationship between the two countries is a historically friendly based on two principles and supported by three pillars. “One is mutual respect and equality and mutual benefit while the important part of it is Gambia’s respect of the one-China policy and to see Taiwan as part of China. This One China Policy is an international consensus that is recognised by UN conventions which is China’s territorial integrity and that must be respected.” Ambassador Zhang said the reception was called to strengthen relations between the Embassy and the local media.
“We believe the media is such an important force that can help to build mutual understanding between people. I must admit that since I came to The Gambia a year-ago, there is a bit of knowledge deficit between the people of the two countries. We are with the conviction that the two nations despite their cordial ties don’t know much about each other and the embassy is determine to continue building truthful relation between the countries,” he said.
The ambassador also disclosed that in few days’,a Chinese medical team will arrive in the country.
“The medical doctors will be in the country to exchange expertise with the country’s health department. All this is a clear indication that the relationship between the two countries can yield more benefits for both nations.”
On the side of the media, he announced that he is also thinking of coming up with a media exchange programme between the two countries.
