Xi praises Govt for grand welcome
President of China Xi Jinping has hailed T&T for hosting a grand welcome reception at the Piarco International Airport on Friday. Xi praised the Government as he paid a courtesy call on the Speaker and Senate President at the Parliament in Port-of-Spain, yesterday. Xi was welcomed by Senate President Timothy Hamel-Smith, Speaker Wade Mark, government ministers and Opposition Chief Whip Marlene McDonald, after which he signed the Parliament book.
Bearing gifts, Xi brought two blue-and-white vases of different designs, which were given to Hamel-Smith and Mark. Mark and Hamel-Smith reciprocated by giving a painting and a Coat of Arms plaque. In his brief address, Xi said, “It is a pleasure to be here. Yesterday, I was given a grand reception at the Piarco Airport.” Hamel-Smith spoke of his enlightening visit to China in 2012, saying that the people were humble and warm.
“I am certain that when the history of your term is written it will be recalled as one in which the people’s dreams were achieved during that era,” Hamel-Smith said. Mark gave Xi a tour of the Parliament, telling him this was where the Government and Opposition members met regularly to debate and pass legislation for the benefit of citizens.