PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago Wednesday said that it has participated in “productive discussions” between Caribbean and Chinese foreign ministry officials on a wide range of issues aimed at deepening relations and addressing pressing international issues.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, said that the head of the Foreign Service Randall Karim, on Wednesday led a Trinidad and Tobago delegation to the ninth Round of Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Caribbean countries that have diplomatic relations with Beijing.
“The meeting facilitated productive discussions between Caribbean and Chinese foreign ministry officials on proposals for deepening relations between both sides, as well as to address pressing international issues, including the climate crisis, the situation in Haiti, and the question of Taiwan.”
Regarding Taiwan, which has diplomatic relations with some Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, China has called on the international community to adhere to the “One China” policy and regard Taipei as a renegade province. Beijing has not ruled out military force to take over Taiwan.
The statement said that since the China – Caribbean Consultation was first convened in September 2002, Trinidad and Tobago has participated in all subsequent rounds of the meeting, “in recognition of its usefulness as a mechanism for dialogue and consensus building”.
The statement said that Miao Deyu, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Roxie McLeish-Hutchinson, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Export Development in Grenada, co-chaired the ninth Round of Consultations.
The statement quoted Karim as acknowledging “China as a valued and reliable partner to Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region.”
He emphasized the need for “more timely hosting of the meetings under the China–Caribbean mechanism” to enhance cooperation and establish additional China-Caribbean forums focusing on key areas, including climate change, renewable energy, trade, investment, and development financing.
He is also urging support for more coordinated Caribbean participation in China’s major trade exhibitions, expanding educational exchanges at the primary and secondary school levels, and greater connectivity between China and the Caribbean through direct air links.
“Both the China and Caribbean delegations subsequently agreed to pursue these additional areas of cooperation earnestly,” the statement added.
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