Ten Caribbean countries that have diplomatic relations with China signed a joint communiqué yesterday reiterating their firm commitment to the one-China policy and support for the efforts of the Chinese government and the people to realize national reunification.

 

The third round of Consultations between the Foreign Ministry of China and the Foreign Affairs ministries of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Surinam, and Trinidad and Tobago, were held in Beijing on Tuesday.

 

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service of the Bahamas, Marilyn T. Zonicle, co-chaired the consultations.

 

In the joint communiqué, China expressed appreciation for these countries' stance on the one-China policy and also reiterated its support for the Caribbean countries in their efforts to achieve regional integration, uphold democracy and promote development and progress.

 

Other commitments agreed to by the parties include:

 

-          To strengthen economic and trade cooperation, encourage companies to increase contacts and expand cooperation within the framework of the China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, and create favorable conditions for trade and mutual investment;

-          China agreed to continue to provide assistance to the Caribbean countries to the best of its ability, in order to contribute to the social and economic development of these countries;

-          To strengthen cooperation in practical terms in culture, education, the media and tourism, encourage the exchange of visits by art troupes, and promote cooperation in human resources development;

-          China will continue to provide scholarships to the Caribbean countries, increase the number of scholarships offered and encourage the Caribbean governments to send students to China.

 

The parties also reaffirmed the important role of the consultation mechanism in promoting bilateral cooperation in various fields, and agreed to strengthen political dialogue and consultations and cooperation in international affairs to uphold the rights and interest of the developing countries and promote world peace, security and development.

 

The fourth round of consultations will be held in the Bahamas in 2008.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2006)