Met with Prime Minister of the Dominic Skerrit

President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Dominic Skerrit, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing，March 25, 2024. 

President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Dominic Skerrit, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing，March 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

President Xi Jinping pointed out that Dominica is an important country in the Caribbean region and also a trusted good friend and partner of China in the region. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 20 years ago, China and the Dominican Republic have always respected and treated each other equally, with increasing political mutual trust and flourishing exchanges and cooperation in various fields. The friendship between the people has become increasingly profound, and the relationship between China and the Dominican Republic has become a model of South South cooperation. China highly appreciates Dominica's unwavering friendship with China, and is willing to work with Dominica to summarize the successful experience of the development of bilateral relations in the past 20 years, strengthen the docking of development strategies, transform friendly relations into a driving force for win-win cooperation, and promote China Dominica relations to achieve more results and better benefit the people of both countries.

President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Dominic Skerrit, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing，March 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

President Xi Jinping emphasized that the key to the smooth development of China Dominica relations lies in the high-level political mutual trust between the two countries, mutual understanding and support on issues related to each other's core interests and major concerns. The Chinese side firmly supports the people of Dominica to pursue a development path that is in line with their own national conditions, and is willing to maintain close and friendly exchanges with Dominica, strengthen exchanges of governance experience. Dominica is welcome to take the express train of Chinese path to modernization to expand bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, infrastructure construction, agriculture, health care and other fields. China is willing to continue to provide assistance to the best of its ability for the economic and social development of the Dominican Republic. China is willing to expand cultural exchanges with Dominica and welcomes more young students from Dominica to come to China for further studies. We will continue to provide opportunities such as scholarships and training to Dominica. Both sides should jointly build the Confucius Classroom at the National University of Dominica and explore cooperation in vocational and technical training in Dominica.

President Xi Jinping emphasized that China advocates for an equal and orderly world with multipolarity and inclusive economic globalization, and advocates that all countries, regardless of size or strength, are equal members of the international community. China attaches great importance to the concerns and demands of small island developing countries in the field of climate change, supports Dominica's active role in international and regional affairs, and is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Dominica, deepen South South cooperation, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. China attaches great importance to its relations with Caribbean countries and appreciates Dominica's important role in promoting China Caribbean cooperation during its tenure as the rotating president of the Caribbean Community. It is willing to continue to support Caribbean countries in their pursuit of national prosperity and development, as well as enhancing the well-being of their people.

Prime Minister Skerrit stated that 20 years ago, I made the correct decision to establish diplomatic relations with China, and I am pleased to visit China again on the occasion of celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam. The relationship between Dominica and China in multiple countries is based on mutual trust, respect, and support. Over the past 20 years, the relationship between Dominica and China has continuously enriched in connotation and achieved fruitful results. As a great country, China has not only achieved remarkable results in poverty alleviation and development, but also made important contributions to the peace and development of Latin American countries such as Dominica and the world. Thanks to the Chinese side for standing firmly with many people and providing valuable help and support at the first time when many Dominica people suffered from natural disasters and the COVID-19 epidemic. China's support and cooperation can be seen everywhere in the Dominican Republic, greatly helping the country maintain its independence and development. Dominica highly appreciates and admires the President Xi Jinping's concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind and a series of global initiatives, which are crucial for strengthening unity and cooperation, promoting development and prosperity in today's world. Dominica firmly adheres to the One China principle, supports China's just cause of achieving complete reunification, and opposes any interference in China's internal affairs. Dominica is willing to strengthen strategic communication with China, deepen people's friendship, strengthen comprehensive cooperation, become an all-weather strategic partner, and elevate the bilateral relationship to a higher level. Dominica is willing to continue to play a positive role in promoting the development of relations between Caribbean countries and China. Dominica also looks forward to close communication and coordination with China in international affairs, actively implementing a series of global initiatives, jointly safeguarding international fairness and justice, and making positive contributions to promoting world peace and development.

Wang Yi attended the meeting.