Dominica and China celebrate 20 years of diplomatic relations

The Chinese Embassy in Dominica and the Government of Dominica co-hosted a reception celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The reception, attended by Chinese Ambassador H.E. Lin Xianjiang and all members of the Embassy, welcomed nearly 300 distinguished guests, including H.E. Sylvanie Burton, President of Dominica and Mr. Burton, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica and Mrs. Skerrit, Hon. Vince Henderson, Foreign Minister of Dominica and Mrs. Henderson, and other cabinet ministers, among others.

In his remarks, Chinese Ambassador Lin underscored the remarkable achievements witnessed in bilateral relations, practical cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges between China and Dominica over the past two decades.

He  emphasised  that the two nations should further consolidate the consensus reached by the leaders of both sides,  devolve  in the construction of a China-Dominican  community with a shared future, and advance the enduring friendship between the two peoples for mutual benefits.

Dominica's Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, reaffirmed the country's commitment to a strong partnership and acknowledged the two decades of cooperation between the nations, highlighting achievements in development, progress, and resilience.

He recommitted to the "One China" policy, emphasising its alignment with Dominica's national interests and respect for international law. The Prime Minister expressed his belief that this decision has yielded significant benefits for Dominica.

The Dominican leader pointed to various Chinese-funded projects that have transformed Dominica's landscape and improved the well-being of its people. These projects reportedly encompass the infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and education sectors.

Ambassador Lin has in the past expressed a desire to work with Dominica to elevate bilateral relations to a new level in the coming year, which coincides with the 20th anniversary.

The relationship between Dominica and China has grown steadily since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2004. China has provided significant financial assistance to Dominica for various development projects.

Dominica is a small island nation in the Eastern Caribbean with a population of approximately 72,000. China is the world's second-largest economy and a major player in global development initiatives.