Source: Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On April 29, 2022, the Foreign Ministers' Meeting between China and the Caribbean for the establishment of diplomatic relations was held by video. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Acting Prime Minister of Dominica Ostry co-chaired the meeting. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Green of Antigua and Barbuda, Mitchell of the Bahamas, Joseph, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Grenada, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Guyana, Johnson Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, Ramdin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Suriname, Brown, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, and Hess Benz, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados.
Wang Yi said: The friendship between China and Caribbean countries has a long history, and the two sides are good friends, good partners, and good brothers with similar ideals. In the 50 years since China and Canada began diplomatic relations, especially since President Xi Jinping's visit to the Caribbean in 2013, the China-Canada comprehensive cooperative partnership has continued to deepen, and cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, setting an example of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development of countries large and small. Political mutual trust between the two sides has endured for a long time, pragmatic cooperation has yielded fruitful results, and the foundation of public opinion has become deeper. The two sides look out for each other, share common interest, and always help each other at the first time. The two sides work closely together to safeguard the overall interests of developing countries and jointly safeguard non-interference in their internal affairs, which is the basic norm of international relations.
Wang Yi said that the world has entered a period of turbulence and change, the global economic and social development and security situation are facing complex and severe challenges, the future and destiny of all countries are linked as never before, and China and Caribbean countries need to strengthen unity, overcome difficulties together, deepen cooperation and create a better future than ever before. The two sides should firmly grasp the historical opportunity, further release the potential of cooperation, and create a higher level of partnership. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Canadian side to jointly promote peaceful development, jointly draw up a blueprint for the development of China-Canada relations, jointly deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly continue the friendship between the people.
Wang Yi said that China will continue to provide economic and technical assistance to Caribbean countries without any political conditions attached, focus on supporting key projects of concern to the Canadian side, vigorously develop projects that benefit people's livelihood, and promote practical technologies such as fungi and grass. The Chinese side has decided to donate anti-epidemic and medical supplies to countries with diplomatic relations with the Caribbean and the Secretariat of the Caribbean Community, set up a China-Caribbean disaster prevention and mitigation fund, and provide more government scholarships to Caribbean countries.
The Caribbean participants thanked China for its long-term selfless assistance to the economic and social development of Caribbean countries, especially its strong support for responding to natural disasters and fighting the new crown epidemic, and said that China is a trusted and important development partner of Caribbean countries. The Canadian side firmly pursues the one-China policy, supports China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and supports the great cause of China's reunification. The Canadian side supports and actively participates in the high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road".
The participants welcomed and supported the global development initiative and global security initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping, and said that China's important initiative fully demonstrates China's role as a major country and is willing to work with China to promote the implementation of the initiative, maintain world peace and stability, and gather global development synergy. The Canadian side appreciates China's upholding of justice and justice in international affairs, practicing genuine multilateralism, and is willing to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China to jointly address global challenges such as climate change.