Trinidad and Tobago, China Consolidate Ties With State Visit

China and Trinidad and Tobago have agreed to expand cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, construction, and finance. The agreements were announced after a meeting between Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Monday.

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Li highlighted that Trinidad and Tobago was one of the first Caribbean countries to establish diplomatic ties with China.

"The Chinese government attaches importance to its ties with Trinidad and Tobago," Li said. "China is willing to work with Trinidad and Tobago to consolidate political trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation and strengthen coordination in international and regional affairs to lift bilateral relations to a new high."

The Chinese diplomat emphasized: “Trinidad and Tobago is China's largest trade partner in the English-speaking Caribbean region. Both countries enjoy high economic complementarities and broad cooperative prospects... China is willing to link the Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategies of Trinidad and Tobago to enhance cooperation in areas including infrastructure construction, energy, finance, and agriculture."

Next year, Trinidad and Tobago and China will celebrate 45 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Li called for an increase in the promotion of people-to-people ties, particularly in areas related to communication, education, culture, sports, and tourism. "China, Caribbean, and Latin American countries are all developing countries, and they provide opportunities for each other."

Rowley, for his part, said his country firmly adhered to the one-China policy and is willing to take bilateral relations even further in the common interest of development. He also expressed gratitude towards Chinese support for Trinidad and Tobago over the years, according to Xinhua.