??
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, admires a scroll presented by Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Feng Zuoku, during a courtesy call at her Ministry. (C. Pitt/BGIS)

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, today met with a seven-member Chinese Delegation at her Ministry’s Culloden Road headquarters, where the deepening of people-to-people relationships between Barbados and that country were discussed.

The group, which represented the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, was headed by Vice President of the Association, Feng Zuoku, and included the Secretary General of China-Latin America and the Caribbean Friendship Association, Wang Hongqiang.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Feng noted that the further development of people-to-people cooperation between the two countries was the main purpose of their trip to Barbados.?? He was of the view that Friendship

Associations were critical to further cooperation in areas like culture, trade and education.

The Vice President also disclosed that the delegation would be visiting the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus to donate books.

In welcoming the Chinese to Barbados, Senator McClean spoke about the good relationship both countries have enjoyed since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1977.

She explained that Barbados and China worked together in several areas, including trade and education.?? Paying particular attention to the latter, she thanked

??the Government of China for facilitating educational opportunities for Barbadians abroad.

In this same vein, she mentioned that the visit to the UWI by the delegation was welcomed, as that institution was well placed to sensitise Barbadians about aspects of Chinese culture and language.

Ms. McClean also noted that even though excellent relations existed between the two countries, she believed that there were more opportunities available where they could work closely together.

In January last year Barbados opened an Embassy in China, which is headed by Ambassador Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford, who is also a former Prime Minister of Barbados.

kmoore@barbados.gov.bb

Pin It on Pinterest