Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford (FP)??
President of the People’s Republic of China, Hu Jintao, has warmly welcomed Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford as Barbados’ first resident Ambassador in China.
The presentation was held last week during a ceremony in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, when Ambassador Sandiford presented his letters of credence to President Hu.
During the meeting, President Hu recalled the very significant role Sir Lloyd played, when in 1990, he visited China as Prime Minister of Barbados and cemented the relationship between the two countries through a cooperation agreement and the signing of a loan arrangement.
During their exchange of views on key issues of mutual interest, Ambassador Sandiford emphasised that, despite the disparity in size, Barbados and China shared common goals with respect to the preservation of their national institutions and culture, the improvement of the lives of their citizens and the continuing search for a just and peaceful international order.
In turn, President Hu underlined the importance China attaches to its relationship with Barbados. He welcomed the establishment of Barbados’ resident mission in Beijing as an important step in deepening the ties between the two nations.
Witnessing the presentation were, Counsellor at the Embassy Fran??ois Jackman, and Attach??, Felicia Inniss. Lady Sandiford was absent due to the death of her mother, Mrs Muriel Ricketts, in Jamaica.