Xi urges more vigor for ties with Caribbean nations

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping called in Port of Spain on Sunday for more vigor and cooperation to boost ties between China and Caribbean nations.

When meeting with Donald Ramotar, President of Guyana, Xi said Guyana is the first English-speaking Caribbean country to establish diplomatic relations with China, which laid a solid foundation for the bilateral relationship.

China is willing to enhance communication and cooperation between the two countries' governments, parliaments and political parties, and deepen cooperation in such fields as infrastructure, mining, agriculture, forestry and fishery, Xi said.

He pledged to carry out projects including airport, hydro-power generation plant and e-government in Guyana.

Xi also noted that China and Guyana share extensive common interests in the domains of climate change and the reform of the international system, urging close cooperation in multilateral sphere.

For his part, Ramotar spoke highly of China's development and its important contribution to safeguarding world peace and assisting developing countries.

Guyana looks forward to beefing up communication and cooperation with China so as to raise its level of development, the president said.

When meeting Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Xi said that Antigua and Barbuda is an important partner of China in the Caribbean region, and that China appreciates its support on issues concerning Beijing's core interests.

Xi said China values the cooperation proposals put forward by Antigua and Barbuda related to people's livelihoods and tourism, and is ready to exchange views with the Caribbean nation and learn from each other on environmental protection and ecological conservation.

He said this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Antigua and Barbuda, calling on the two countries to use the occasion to lift their cooperation to a higher level.

Noting Antigua and Barbuda will hold the rotating chair of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly, Xi said China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Caribbean country.

Spencer thanked China for its aid to his country and lauded the Asian nation for its efforts to develop relations with Antigua and Barbuda on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

He expressed hope the two countries can strengthen cooperation in economy, trade, culture and multilateral issues, adding that China's development will bring opportunities for his country and the Caribbean region at large.