China-Dominica ties a ‘model’ for South-South cooperation, Xi tells Dominican PM
- Chinese leader offers support to Caribbean country’s active role in regional and international affairs
- Talks to broaden relationship held 2 days after the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries
In a meeting with Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit in Beijing on Monday, Xi said China is willing to work with Dominica to synergise development strategies and turn the relationship into a driving force for win-win cooperation.
“The key to the sound development of China-Dominica relations lies in a high level of political mutual trust, as well as in mutual understanding and support on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns,” he said.
“China 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.”
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Xi said China supported Dominica in playing an active role in international and regional affairs and was willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation to deepen South-South cooperation and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.
He added that Beijing attaches great importance to the climate change concerns of developing island nations.
Xi invited Dominica to “hop on board the fast train of China’s modernisation” and expand economic and trade cooperation, as well as areas including infrastructure construction, agriculture and healthcare.
Skerrit, Dominica’s leader for the past 20 years, responded that his country looked forward to close communication and coordination with China in international affairs.
“Dominica is willing to continue playing an active role in promoting the development of relations between Caribbean countries and China and looks forward to close communication and coordination with China in international affairs,” he said.
The last meeting between Xi and Skerrit was in Trinidad and Tobago in 2013. The pair had a phone conversation in January 2021, when Xi pledged China’s support for Dominica’s fight against Covid-19 through affordable and accessible vaccines.
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In January, Dominica affirmed its support for the one-China policy after the presidential election in Taiwan, which Beijing is determined to bring under mainland control. Most countries do not regard Taiwan as an independent country.
China and Dominica signed a memorandum of understanding in 2018 under Beijing’s massive global infrastructure programme the Belt and Road Initiative. Trade volumes between the two countries has also soared in recent years.
Last year, bilateral trade reached US$73.556 million – a year-on-year increase of 111.5 per cent – with China’s exports to Dominica amounting to US$72.857 million, an increase of 112.2 per cent on the previous year, according to Chinese customs data.
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Earlier on Monday, Skerrit also held talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang, who invited Dominica and neighbouring countries to take part in the 4th China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum.
Their active participation will“open up broader prospects for China-Caribbean economic and trade cooperation”, Li said. He also voiced China’s support for Chinese companies investing and starting businesses in Dominica.
Li said that China hopes to strengthen its belt and road cooperation with Dominica, while creating new highlights of cooperation in areas such as new energy, the digital economy and the marine economy.
