DESMOND A. MCKENZIE, the mayor of Kingston, Jamaica, said Thursday that he was impressed by the way Shenzhen had organized the Third China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair (ICIF).

"The economic miracle created by Shenzhen over the past two decades enables the city to host such a large-scale cultural fair," said McKenzie. "Similar cultural events have been held in Jamaica, but none of them was of the same scale. Our economy is not on the same level as that of yours."

Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, established sister-city ties with Shenzhen in 1995. McKenzie was invited to attend the ICIF last year, but couldn't make it because he was "pressed by some domestic issue." He said he plans to return next year.

"We will come next year and take the opportunity to learn, with both 'body and soul,' your experience in promoting the development of the cultural industry," he said.

McKenzie told the Shenzhen Daily that as the mayor of Kingston, he would try to arrange for Jamaican artists to perform in Shenzhen in the near future so that residents could appreciate "the beauty and charm of Jamaican culture and art."

Located in the northwest of the Caribbean Sea, Jamaica is the home to the world-renowned Blue Mountain coffee and reggae music, and is the birthplace of Asafa Powell, once the world's fastest man, and Trevor Berbick, the former heavyweight champion.

McKenzie said more than 100,000 Chinese currently live in Jamaica, some 65 percent of whom reside in Kingston. "There is strong Chinese participation in Jamaican economy," he said. At present, six out of every 10 stores selling household items and electronics products in downtown Kingston are run by Chinese people, according to the mayor.

Young Jamaicans are fascinated by Chinese kung fu while the average residents love Chinese garments, household appliances and items, McKenzie said.

"Quite a number of Jamaicans come to China every month to purchase Chinese goods, which will be brought back to Kingston and then taken to other parts of Jamaica," he said.

An employee of Shenzhen's foreign affairs bureau said McKenzie had been asking where he could buy Chinese-style shirts ever since he got off the airplane Wednesday. The mayor again brought up the topic during the interview, admitting that "buying some traditional Chinese clothes is also on his busy agenda."

Editor: Yan