As I stepped off the plane at Grantley Adams International Airport, I was immediately greeted by the refreshing sea breeze and brilliant sunshine of Barbados. In that moment, I felt the warmth and vitality of this island. As the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Barbados, I assumed office on the occasion of the grand CARIFESTA XV. I am filled with eager anticipation to begin this new diplomatic journey on an island with a distinctive history and cultural charm.
As the Chinese saying goes, “Distance cannot separate true friends who feel close even when thousands of miles apart.” Though separated by vast oceans, the deep bond between China and Barbados transcends geography. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1977, the bilateral ties have maintained a sound momentum of growth. The two countries have been carrying out fruitful cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, culture, education, and healthcare, making the relations ever-growing and ever-deepening.
In June 2023, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley paid a successful visit to China. During the visit, the leaders of both countries charted a new blueprint for the future development of bilateral relations, ushering in a new chapter of cooperation. As the world is undergoing transformations unseen in a century, we are on a mission to uphold the principle of equality, pursue mutually beneficial goals, embrace flexible and pragmatic approaches, foster an open and inclusive spirit of cooperation, and continue to write a splendid chapter in our bilateral friendship.
I believe China and Barbados will continue to build a stronger consensus. As President Xi Jinping emphasised, China and Barbados are important members of the Global South. Both countries put their people first. Independence and autonomy are our glorious traditions. Development and revitalisation are our inherent rights. And fairness and justice are our common pursuits. Both countries should continue to enhance political mutual trust, expand communication at all levels and in all fields, and firmly support each other on issues of core interest, thus laying a solid foundation for the steady development of bilateral relations.
I hope China and Barbados will continue to expand areas of cooperation. The Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Project is progressing steadily, the Hope Agricultural Institute is nearing completion, and the National Stadium Redevelopment Project has officially begun. China is willing to further cooperate with Barbados in fields including climate change, green development, digital transformation, and public health, bringing tangible benefits to our peoples.
I hope China and Barbados will continue to strengthen people-to-people ties. Chinese opera, martial arts, and acrobatics have been warmly received in Barbados, while Barbadian singer Rihanna is a household name in China, and Chinese consumers increasingly welcome several Barbadian rum brands. Cultural exchange and mutual learning between civilisations play a vital role in fostering ties among peoples. We will continue to broaden cooperation in tertiary education, cultural exchange, tourism promotion, youth development, and local-level programmes to further promote people-to-people connectivity and cultural exchange.
On May 13, the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China–Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum (China–CELAC Forum) was successfully held in Beijing. The meeting adopted the Beijing Declaration and the China–CELAC Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in Key Areas (2025–2027). China also announced its intention to launch five programmes with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)—sending a clear signal of joint efforts for development and building a China–LAC community with a shared future.
A new journey has begun. Together with my colleagues, I will strive to implement the outcomes of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China–CELAC Forum, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Barbados, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples. I firmly believe that, under the guidance of our leaders and with the support of people from all walks of life in Barbados, the friendship between China and Barbados will proceed to a charming new chapter that transcends time and space.
Zheng Bingkai is the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados.
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