The new Chinese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Barbados, Zheng Bingkai, has expressed an interest in deepening and fostering a more meaningful relationship with Barbados, with a focus on cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
This was stated during a recent courtesy call with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, at the ministry’s Culloden Road, St Michael, location.
Minister Symmonds welcomed Ambassador Zheng’s proposal to deepen the existing relationship and noted that over the years, the relationship has been friendly and beneficial, with technical and financial assistance being provided in many areas.
Those areas include educational scholarships, culture, sports, electric buses, solar streetlamps, food security and the Dukes Agricultural Research Park with The University of the West Indies, infrastructure, and most recently the National Stadium Redevelopment Project.
He indicated that, given the current geopolitical environment, Barbados aims to enhance and develop new partnerships that will benefit its citizenry.
“I think we need to pivot, and we need to continue to deepen partnerships, which we have, like those in China. I think China now has an opportunity to be that partner at this very strategic time, in terms of bilateral cooperation,” Symmonds proffered.
Ambassador Zheng, who arrived on the island three weeks ago, indicated that China was “more than happy to cooperate”.
He said Barbados is a beautiful country, and commended the island for hosting CARIFESTA XV, noting that it highlighted young people in the arts and culture, and brought unity among Caribbean countries.
The two officials also discussed other areas for future collaboration, including tourism, airlift, logistics hub, and building resilience against natural disasters.
Barbados and China established diplomatic relations on May 30, 1977.
(BGIS)
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