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Saint Lucia’s Governor-General becomes the 400th Head of State to visit the Great Wall of China

Contact: George Jude

Governor-General surrounded by press security and external affairs personnel on visit to the Great Wall of China

Monday, September 13, 2004 - Governor-General of St. Lucia, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy on September 8th, 2004, became the 400th Head of State to visit the Great Wall of China. Her Excellency is also the fourth Government of St. Lucia official to visit the Great Wall, behind Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny D. Anthony and the late former Foreign Minister, George Odlum in February, 1999; and Foreign Minister Julian Hunte in July, 2002.

The over-3,000 mile long wall was the greatest manmade military defence structure in ancient China. Its construction started during ancient spring and summer period and the warring stated period 770-211 B.C. At that time walls were built by some warring states to protect their own territories.

In 221 B.C., Qin Shihuang, who became the first Emperor of a unified China, linked the separate walls. From then, the Great Wall was continuously extended and repaired by subsequent dynasties. Most of the wall has deteriorated badly, with the best preserved wall at present being the one built in the Ming Dynasty between 1368 and 1644. This section of the wall is over 6,000 kilometres long.

Governor-General signs Visitors' Book at the Great Wall of China

At over seven meters high and five meters wide, the Great Wall has drawn much attention from the Chinese Government since becoming the People’s Republic of China in 1949. It was designated a major historical site under state protection in 1961. And in 1987, the Great Wall was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nation Economic, Social, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The Great Wall at Badaling is preserved as a historical monument and has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.

On the visit to the Great Wall, Her Excellency was accompanied by the Chinese Ministry of External Affairs, along with several security and medical personnel. Viewing the Great Wall with awe, the Governor-General wrote in the visitors’ book, “ …inspiring and breathtaking. I will always cherish this visit to the Great Wall, a symbol of peace, harmony and international goodwill”.

 

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