??
China’s Vice Minister of Commerce, Gao Hucheng, presents Prime Minister Freundel Stuart with a token of appreciation after the meeting.
(C. Pitt/BGIS)
??

The Chinese Government has pledged to continue its assistance to Barbados’ development in a number of projects and other areas of technical cooperation as the need arises.

China’s Vice Minister of Commerce, who is also his country’s International Trade Representative, Gao Hucheng, gave this undertaking yesterday, as he, along with a delegation from China, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean.?? ????

During the talks in the Committee Room at Parliament, the parties explored ways to strengthen "the existing relations which have been mutually beneficial over the last 35 years."

Mr. Stuart pointed to technical and other assistance provided by China, particularly in construction or refurbishment of major projects here.

He added: "China has left its finger prints across Barbados … projects such as the gymnasium and the Elsie Payne Complex have made a difference to the landscape of Barbados."

In turn, Mr. Hucheng said the visit was also intended as a follow-up to the six policy initiatives which were announced during the 3rd China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum held in Trinidad last September.

The Vice Minister alluded to the $20 million Yuan (BDS $6.3 million) in grant funding, as well as other funding for projects to be agreed on by both governments. The Prime Minister promised to "move with haste" to identify the projects for funding while praising China’s dominance as a major player in the world economy.

Barbados and China established diplomatic ties on May 30, 1977.

julie.carrington@barbados.gov.bb

Pin It on Pinterest