BEIJING, China, CMC—Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on Monday, describing the island as an important country in the Caribbean.
Xi said that Roseau was also a trustworthy friend and partner to China in the region. The two countries have respected each other and treated each other as equals since the establishment of diplomatic ties 20 years ago.
The Chinese leader said that, with increasing political mutual trust, vigorous exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and deepening friendship between the two peoples, China-Dominica relations have become a good example of South-South cooperation.
Xi said China highly appreciates Dominica’s steadfast friendship and that Beijing is willing to work with the Caribbean island to synergize development strategies and turn friendly relations into a driving force for win-win cooperation, achieving more results and delivering more benefits for the peoples of the two countries.
Xi said that the key to the sound development of China-Dominica relations lies in a high level of political mutual trust, mutual understanding, and support on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns.
The Chinese leader said Beijing firmly supports the people of Dominica in following a development path suited to their national conditions and stands ready to bolster friendly exchanges and strengthen the sharing of experience on governance.
He said China welcomes the Dominican side to board the “express train” of Chinese modernization to expand bilateral cooperation in fields such as trade and the economy, infrastructure construction, agriculture, and health care. He added that China will continue to assist Dominica in its economic and social development within its capacity.
Xi said China is also willing to promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges with the Dominican side, welcomes more Dominican students to study in China, and will continue to provide scholarships and training programs.
He noted that the two sides should collaborate to develop the Confucius Classroom at Dominica State College and explore further cooperation on vocational and technical training in Dominica.
Xi said that China advocates an equal, orderly, multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all. It holds that all countries, big or small, are equal in the international community.
He said that China attaches importance to the issues of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) related to climate change and that Beijing supports Dominica in playing an active role in international and regional affairs and stands ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Dominican side, deepen South-South cooperation, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and advance the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Xi said China attaches great importance to its relations with Caribbean countries. He said China appreciates Dominica’s important role in promoting China-Caribbean cooperation, especially during Dominica’s chairmanship of the 15-member regional integration movement, CARICOM.
Prime Minister Skerrit, who is leading a delegation to Beijing, said that he made the right decision to establish diplomatic relations with China 20 years ago and that he was glad to visit China again on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Noting that China has not only made outstanding achievements in poverty alleviation and development but also contributes significantly to the peace and development of Dominica, other Latin American countries, and the world at large, Skerrit said that China’s support and cooperation has helped Dominica to safeguard its independence and development.
Skerrit commended the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity and a series of global initiatives proposed by China, saying that they are crucial to improving solidarity and cooperation and the joint promotion of development and prosperity in today’s world.
He said Dominica abides firmly by the one-China principle and opposes any interference in China’s internal affairs. He expressed his country’s willingness to be China’s all-weather strategic partner and to continue playing a positive role in promoting relations between Caribbean countries and China.
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