BEIJING, China, CMC – Antigua and Barbuda Tuesday opened its first-ever embassy in China with Prime Minister Gaston Browne describing the Asian country as the “most philanthropic country globally.”
Browne told the brief ceremony that St. John’s had plans to appoint a permanent Ambassador soon and that the Caribbean island has strengthened its ties with China by opening the embassy.
Browne said his visit aimed to attract more investment to Antigua and Barbuda while enhancing trade connections with China.
He also commended China’s significant role in the socio-economic development of Antigua and Barbuda.
A government statement said that during his visit, Prime Minister Browne, who is leading a delegation that includes Health, Wellness, Social Transformation and the Environment Minister, Sir Molwyn Joseph, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade and Barbuda Affairs, E. P Chet Greene and the island’s Ambassador to China, Brian Stuart-Young, will sign 10 Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) that include an agreement to address climate change under the framework of South-South Cooperation, an agreement to accelerate the formulation of the cooperation plan on the Belt and Road initiative and an agreement on mutual visa exemption.
It said that on Wednesday, Prime Minister Browne will have his first official meeting with President Xi Jinping and members of his Cabinet, “where discussions will center around a community of shared future for mankind and the Global Development Initiative.”
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