PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Caribbean countries that attended last = week’s consultation with China have reaffirmed their commitment to Beijing’s = =93One China policy according to an official communiqu=E9 issued at the end = of the talks.
The communiqu=E9 signed by representatives of China and the 10 Caribbean states, including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Dominica, noted that the regional countries =93reiterated their firm commitment to the one-China policy and support for the efforts of the Chinese government and the people to realize national reunification .
Caribbean foreign affairs officials attended the third round of consultations with their Chinese counterparts that was chaired by = China’s Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Marilyn T. Zonicle, of the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service.
According to the joint communique, China expressed appreciation of the Caribbean countries on its one-China policy and also reiterated its = support for the Caribbean countries =93in their efforts to achieve regional integration, uphold democracy and promote development and progress .
It said the two sides agreed to strengthen economic and trade = cooperation, encourage companies of their respective countries to increase contacts = and expand cooperation within the framework of the China-Caribbean Economic = and Trade Cooperation Forum, and create favourable conditions for trade and mutual investment.
Beijing has also agreed to continue providing assistance to the = Caribbean countries having diplomatic relations with it, =93in order to contribute = to the social and economic development of these countries .
The communiqu=E9 said the two parties agreed to =93strengthen = cooperation in practical terms in culture, education, the media and tourism, encourage = the exchange of visits by art troupes, and promote cooperation in human resources development .
It said that China would continue to provide scholarships to the = Caribbean; increase the number of scholarships offered and encourage the Caribbean governments to send students to China.
The two sides have also reaffirmed the important role of the = consultation mechanism in promoting bilateral cooperation in various fields, and = agreed to strengthen political dialogue and consultations and cooperation in international affairs to uphold the rights and interest of the = developing countries and promote world peace, security and development.=20
The fourth round of consultations will be held in the Bahamas in 2008.