Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Friday unveiled the first Confucius Institute established in the English-speaking Caribbean region.

Xi attended the unveiling ceremony for the Confucius Institute in the University College of the West Indies at Mona.

In a speech delivered at the ceremony, Xi praised the establishment of the Chinese-language-promoting institution in Jamaica as a new achievement and a milestone in the progress of cultural and educational exchanges and cooperation between China and the Caribbean region.

Quoting a Chinese saying, Xi said amity between people holds the key to sound relations between states.

He expressed confidence that the Confucius Institute will help the Caribbean people learn Chinese language and understand Chinese culture.

The institute will serve as a bridge to promote mutual understanding and friendship between China and the Caribbean and to consolidate the mutually beneficial, friendly partnership, Xi said.

Widening cultural intercourses are expected to further boost the China-Caribbean friendship, he added.

The University of the West Indies has been the birthplace of president, governor-generals, prime ministers and Nobel Prize winners, and its Mona Campus has been a pioneer in collaboration with Chinese counterparts.

Jamaica's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kenneth Baugh was also present at the ceremony.

(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 14, 2009)