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A six-member delegation from the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of National Defence visited the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) from 31 August to 03 September 2008. The delegation was headed by Major General Jingong Ding, Deputy Director General, of the Office of Foreign Affairs in China’s Ministry of Defence. Major Mahatma Williams, SO2 J3 Operations at Headquarters JDF, met the delegation at Norman Manley International Airport and co-coordinated the visit.

JDF Provost Unit presented arms to the Chinese delegation and provided escort
en route to the visit to the JDF’s Chief of Defence Staff.

The highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday (01 September), by General Ding and JDF’s Chief of Defence Staff, Major Generals Stewart Saunders. The MOU covered the strengthening of military co-operation between China and Jamaica in the form of military assistance gratis and training.

Major General Jingong Ding (left) from China’s Ministry of Defence signs an MOU with Major
General Stewart Saunders, Chief of Defence Staff, while visiting the Jamaica Defence Force at
Up Park Camp, on Monday, 01 December 2008.

On arrival at Cotton Tree Gate, the main entrance to Up Park Camp, the Chinese delegation was welcomed by a Quarter Guard furnished by the JDF Provost Unit of Support and Services Battalion. The Guard presented a General Salute to General Ding, before providing formal escort to Headquarters JDF where the visitors met General Saunders and Colonel Antony Anderson, the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff.

Major General Jingong Ding, Deputy Director General of the Office of Foreign Affairs in China’s
Ministry of Defence is delighted to accept a gift from the Jamaica Defence Force Chief of
Defence Staff, Major General Stewart Saunders.

During the visit with General Saunders, General Ding, who spoke through an interpreter, offered congratulations on the outstanding performances by the Jamaican athletes at the recently held Olympics in Beijing. General Saunders thanked the General and praised the Chinese for their excellent preparation for the games which he said contributed to the world record performances by the Jamaican athletes.

Major Generals Stewart Saunders and Jingong Ding exchanges final greetings at the
Headquarters of the Jamaica Defence Force at Up Park Camp, prior to General Ding’s
departure for a courtesy call on the Minister of National Security. JDF’s Deputy
Chief of Defence Staff Colonel Anthony Anderson (centre) looks on.

Following the visit to the JDF, the delegation visited the Ministry of National Security where they met Jamaica’s Minister of National Security, Colonel (Retired) Trevor MacMillan

A group photograph of the Chinese delegation. General Ding is flanked by JDF’s
Chief of Defence Staff (left), Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (right) and
the Staff Officer for Operations (farthest right)