Chinese Ambassador to Barbados, Her Excellency Wang Ke (left); and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, engaging in a discussion during yesterday’s forum to mark 40 years of diplomatic relations between Barbados and China.
AS Barbados and The People’s Republic of China celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations, there is still much work to be done.
This point was made by Chinese Ambassador to Barbados, Her Excellency Wang Ke, as she spoke at a forum to mark the 40th anniversary, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, yesterday.
She said the two nations have developed a strong relationship through trusting each other as loyal friends and becoming partners of mutually beneficial co-operation, as well as sharing the common goal of making tremendous efforts to improve sustainable development and improving citizens’ well-being.
However, she said while there has been progress over the past 40 years, especially as it relates to China funding various building projects across Barbados’ landscape, there are challenges that must be addressed.
Firstly, Ambassador Wang noted that there is a need for the two countries to work harder to explore “new converting points”.
Secondly, she pointed out that due to the long distance and language barrier, China and Barbados’ mutual understanding is far from where it should be.
She also said that the two countries’ differences in cultural and working style sometimes make constant communication and co-ordination a difficult task, noting that efficiency and a sense of urgency are required in moving on with bilateral projects.
Ambassador Wang suggested that as the two countries look forward to working together over the next 40 years, both sides should maintain high-level visits with the involvement of government agencies, legislation bodies and political parties.
She also mentioned that measures should be put in place to ensure enhanced policy co-ordination, and promote co-operation in key sectors.
The Ambassador indicated that current co-operation projects should be implemented with a more open mind, and the way should be paved for more partnership opportunities in the areas of tourism, renewable energy and modern agriculture.
“We should further concrete the basement of people-to-people exchange, continue to facilitate two-way visits by tertiary institutions and media groups, taking advantage of implementation of the visa waiver agreement, the second assignment of a Chinese medical team [to Barbados], and collaborations between China’s universities and UWI [University of the West Indies] Cave Hill,” Ambassador Wang Ke said.
“We should boost tourism co-operation, even medical co-operation and bring more people, especially the younger generation of our two countries, to join the efforts in fostering China–Barbados friendship. We should take advantage of Barbados’ influential role and strategic location in the region…,” she added.
Also delivering remarks at the event, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, said the two countries must work to ensure the mutuality and the genuinely two-way nature of exchanges shapes the future.
Senator McClean said China has proven to be a reliable partner for Barbados, having assisted in the funding of numerous development projects, including the construction and refurbishment of some of the island’s most visible landmarks.
The Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Cheapside Market, and the headquarters of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, are about a few of the facilities where the invaluable and tangible support of the Chinese government marks the Barbados landscape, Senator McClean said.
“Barbados China relations have been very productive over the years, as you heard before. Yet, there is scope for even greater co-operation…We need therefore to explore opportunities for Barbados to benefit from renewable energy initiatives in China as well as China’s advances in the areas such as science, technology and agriculture.
“We need to enhance our marketing of Barbados as a destination for Chinese tourists, as well as explore further investment opportunities, China is of course a market for high end Barbadian products,” Senator McClean said. (AH)