On April 29, 2022, the foreign ministerial meeting between China and the Caribbean countries that have diplomatic relations with China was held by video link. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Acting Prime Minister of Dominica Reginald Austria co-chaired the meeting. The event was attended by Antigua and Barbuda Minister for Foreign Affairs, Migration and Trade, E. Paul Chet Greene; the Secretary of State for the Bahamas, Frederick A. Mitchell; the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Trade and CARICOM Affairs (abbreviation for the Caribbean Community) of Grenada, Oliver Joseph; Guyana’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Hilton Todd; the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, Kamina Johnson Smith; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation of Suriname Albert R. Ramdin; the Minister for Foreign Affairs and CARICOM Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, Amery Browne; and, among others, Minister at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, Sandra Husbands.
Wang Yi said that the friendship between China and the Caribbean countries has a long history, and the two sides are good friends, good partners and good like-minded brothers. Since China-Caribbean countries began diplomatic relations 50 years ago, especially after President Xi Jinping’s visit to the Caribbean region in 2013, China-Caribbean countries’ comprehensive cooperative partnership has been continuously deepening and cooperation in various fields achieves fruitful results that have created a model of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development between countries of different sizes. Political mutual trust between the two sides has been consolidated over time, pragmatic cooperation has borne many fruits, and the popular support base has been cemented. Both sides have helped each other through adversity, shared happy and difficult times, and always cared about each other first. In addition, both sides have worked closely together to uphold the common interests of developing countries side by side and jointly uphold non-interference in internal affairs, a fundamental tenet of international relations.
Wang Yi expressed that the world has entered a period of turmoil and transformation, that global economic and social development and the world security situation are facing complicated and serious challenges, and that the future and destiny of all countries are linked, what more than ever, China and the Caribbean countries must strengthen their solidarity, overcome current difficulties together, deepen cooperation and create a better future together. It is incumbent on both sides to resolutely seize historic opportunities, further unlock the potential of cooperation and forge a high-level partnership. China is willing to work with Caribbean countries to jointly promote peaceful development, jointly draw up a plan for the development of bilateral relations, side by side deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly pursue people-to-people friendship .
China will continue to provide economic and technical assistance to Caribbean countries without attaching political conditions, focus on supporting key projects that Caribbean countries pay attention to, vigorously develop projects that benefit people’s overall livelihoods, and practical technologies such as z as juncao (Chinese for “plant for growing edible mushrooms”), Wang Yi said. The Chinese side has decided to donate anti-pandemic supplies and medical supplies to Caribbean countries with diplomatic ties and the CARICOM Secretariat, set up a Sino-Caribbean Disaster Mitigation and Prevention Fund, and provide more government scholarships to Caribbean countries.
The participating Caribbean parties thanked China for its selfless long-term support for the economic and social development of Caribbean countries, especially for the strong support both in response to natural disasters and in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and expressed that China is a reliable country and an important development partner for the Caribbean countries. The Caribbean side firmly adheres to the one-China policy, supports China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and adheres to the great cause of China’s reunification. It also supports and actively participates in the high quality joint construction of “Belt and Road”.
All parties attending the meeting welcomed and supported the Global Development Initiative (GDI) launched by President Xi Jinping and the Global Security Initiative, and expressed willingness to work with China to jointly promote the implementation of initiatives to uphold world peace and stability and to form a common force for the overall development. The Caribbean countries appreciate the Chinese side for upholding fairness and justice and exercising genuine multilateralism in international affairs, and stand ready to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China to face global challenges, including climate change, side by side.