BEIJING, China (CMC) — China has promised aid to Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries in a number of areas, including adapting to climate change, energy, education and tourism.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who is on an official visit to the Asian country, Tuesday met with his Chinese counterpart, Premier Li Keqiang and both men promised to seek more common ground in economic co-operation and broader mutual support on international affairs.
The meeting lasted for an hour and according to officials here the two leaders agreed to expand cooperation in clean energy, agriculture, tourism, education and health care.
Premier Li said China will also help in the construction of highways, airports and ports in Antigua and Barbuda.
China will also provide financial aid, goods and nointerest loans to Antigua and Barbuda which has been struggling since the 2008 financial crisis and is facing a one billion US dollar debt that is almost equivalent to its annual gross domestic product (GDP).
Li said he understood that battling climate change is one of the twin-island country’s core interests and that Beijing has managed to reduce its own carbon emissions by five per cent in the first half of this year.
“We understand the island nations such as Antigua and Barbuda in that regard, and we will provide necessary assistance to help you cope with climate change and protect the interests of developing countries,” Li said.
Browne, who is making his first official visit to China since he came to power following the June 12 general election, said relations with China are “central” to his country’s foreign policy and that his visit here underscores the importance of the relationship.
Prime Minister Browne, who is heading a sevenmember delegation on his five-day visit, will later this week, head to Nanjing, Jiangsu province, to attend the closing ceremony of the second Summer Youth Olympic Games.
He is also expected to hold talks with government officials and investors in Shandong province. Shen Zhiliang, head of the foreign ministry’s department of Latin American and Caribbean affairs, said the two leaders have had a “deep and thorough” exchange on bilateral relations and international affairs.
Antigua and Barbuda currently holds the rotating chairmanship of Caricom, one of the major forces in boosting China’s relations with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.
Last year, China’s President Xi Jingping paid a three-day visit to the Caribbean holding talks with eight Caricom leaders whose countries continue to have diplomatic relations with Beijing, instead of Taiwan, that China regards as a renegade province and has been urging countries to accept the “One China” policy in their foreign relations for talks with regional leaders.
Following the talks he announced billions of dollars in assistance to the Caribbean.
Met mi miss it caz it nuh mention innah di article..or maybe mi nah see right.
China overpopulated and highly polluted, look like dem a look new places fi send dem ppl to..awe sah.
@Anonymous, is the same way I see it too. I would go even further and say the only people that will truly benefit are the Chinese, our politicians and their cronies. I would rather see the Caribbean nations ramp up the pressure for reparations (not only because it is just but because it is owed), then uses that money for development and sustainability and not accept a penny from China.
#itneverturnoutgoodforblackpeoplewhen….
Met and everybody goodnite and stay blessed.
@ Sameso, Yes o yes. Cause I just caan see all dis China involvement in Black affairs as truly altruistic. Furda we been fcked over so many times my hackles rise anytime mi see di rescue mission coming forward, and on top of dat China’s culture values honor and saving face, how dem going to respect nations that were not able to build up demself on dem own all dis time? Dem build up demself on dem own and now at a level dem can be shot caller, I donts even know if dem ever teck money from IMF or World Bank. Dem a spy pon wi suh much ova yah it meck u wonda what dem so concerned bout eena wi affairs. Anyweh dem migrant ppl guh and set up shop dem don’t contribute to di building up of dat place, dem send all di money back to China. Summen juss not adding up wid dem.
I can never understand how the chinese can go to any island or any black community in america get rich off black ppl becuz they never contribute anything back to the black community so y does black ppl continue spending their dollars with them I myself use to be guilty of this