On December 19, H.E. Chu Maoming, Chinese Ambassador to Dominica, published a signed article titled Embracing a Shared Future of the China–LAC Community in Dominica’s mainstream newspaper The Chronicle. In the article, Ambassador Chu introduced the third China’s Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean and looked ahead to the bright prospects for China–Dominica cooperation.
Full Text：
Last week, the Chinese government released the third China’s Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean（LAC）. My friends, H.E. Martin Charles, Dean of the diplomatic corps of Latin American and Caribbean States in China and Ambassador of Dominica to China, and Mrs. Barbara Dailey, Permanent Secretary of Dominica’s Foreign Ministry, attended the press conference, witnessing yet another important milestone in the development of China–LAC relations.
Looking back over the year, relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean have advanced with vigor and delivered remarkable results. Notably, in May, my President H.E. Xi Jinping announced the launch of the five major programs—Solidarity Program, Development Program, Civilization Program, Peace Program and People-to-People Connectivity Program—at the opening ceremony of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China–CELAC Forum, charting a clear course for building a China–LAC community with a shared future. This policy paper is aimed at implementing President Xi’s important remarks, advancing the effective delivery of the five programs, and injecting new momentum into the development of China–LAC relations.
Advancing the Solidarity Program
China stands ready to maintain exchange of visits and meetings at multilateral international events between leaders of China and LAC countries, and to strengthen communication and mutual learning on governance and modernization. We will continue to deepen strategic mutual trust and support each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns. We will promote intergovernmental dialogue and cooperation, and expand friendly exchanges between political parties and legislatures. China will work with LAC countries to implement the Global Governance Initiative, strengthen cooperation within the multilateral trading system, and promote reform of the global economic governance system.
This year has seen fruitful political exchanges between China and Dominica. H.E. Sylvanie Burton, President of Dominica, visited China to attend the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women and met with President Xi, during which the two leaders mapped out the blueprint for bilateral relations. Honourable Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit visited China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Honourable Speaker of the House of Assembly Joseph Isaac attended the Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges and the Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo, and Honourable Foreign Minister Vince Henderson participated in the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China–CELAC Forum and the opening ceremony of the International Organization for Mediation. Guided by the important consensus reached by the two countries’ leaders, China and Dominica will further strengthen political mutual trust and promote sustained and in-depth progress in bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation.
Advancing the Development Program
China is ready to work with LAC countries to deepen the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and continue to share the opportunities brought by Chinese modernization. We will advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, actively promote cooperation across sectors, jointly ensure the safe and smooth implementation of cooperation projects, and strive to make it high-standard, people-centered and sustainable. China supports countries in the region, particularly small island developing states, in addressing climate change and will deepen cooperation on disaster management. China will continue to provide development assistance to LAC countries without attaching any political conditions.
Recently, I accompanied Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on inspections of the Northern Road Improvement Project and the International Airport and School Projects under construction. I also attended the handover of Chinese government medical supplies and the unveiling of a medical training center, and took part in community outreach activities by the Chinese agricultural expert team. Seeing steady progress in China–Dominica practical cooperation projects has been truly inspiring. With joint efforts, bilateral cooperation will enjoy broader prospects and bring greater convenience and opportunities to the local people.
Advancing the Civilization Program
China stands ready to work with LAC countries to implement the Global Civilization Initiative and strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges. We support institutionalized cooperation between cultural and art organizations and promote mutual visits by among high-level art troupes and artists. China will continue to provide government scholarships and training opportunities for participants from the region, actively carry out vocational education cooperation such as Luban Workshop program, and support the joint operation of Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms.
This year, the Confucius Classroom at the Dominica State College hosted a series of Chinese-language activities, inspiring many students to learn Chinese. Last week, I awarded Chinese Ambassador Scholarships to some outstanding students. They told me of their determination to continue studying Chinese and pursue further education in China, carrying forward the friendship between our two countries. I am confident that they will become a backbone force in advancing China–Dominica relations in the future.
Advancing the Peace Program
China is ready to work with LAC countries to implement the Global Security Initiative. China supports the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and the Declaration of Member States of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean. We advocate the peaceful settlement of international disputes and hotspot issues and oppose willful threat or use of force. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with LAC countries in military exchanges, law enforcement and judicial cooperation, anti-corruption cooperation on fugitive repatriation and asset recovery, and cybersecurity.
Security cooperation has always been an important component of China–Dominica cooperation. This week, five experienced Dominican police officers traveled to China to attend a law enforcement training program. One of them had received training at the same Chinese institution 20 years ago, vividly illustrating the continuity of security cooperation between our two countries. China is ready to continue exchanges and cooperation with Dominica in the field of peace and security to jointly promote regional and global peace and stability.
Advancing the People-to-People Connectivity Program
China is willing to share experience with LAC countries on social governance and development, and jointly advance the modernization of governance systems and capacities. We will share experience in targeted poverty alleviation and continue to carry out “small and beautiful” projects that directly benefit people’s livelihoods. China will help train medical personnel, improve medical facilities, dispatch medical teams, and actively conduct free medical consultations. We will expand tourism cooperation and initiate more facilitation policies to promote two-way travels. We encourage people-to-people exchanges and support various social organizations in carrying out diverse forms of friendly exchanges and public welfare activities.
Chinese modernization is modernization aimed at common prosperity for all, while “No one will be left behind” is the governing commitment of the Dominican government. Guided by these shared aspirations, the two governments have jointly carried out a series of “small and beautiful” projects for local communities including housing repairs. We look forward to China–Dominica relations delivering tangible benefits to even more people.
As the New Year approaches, let us seize the implementation of this policy paper as an opportunity to embrace together the bright future of the China–LAC community with a shared future and elevate China–Dominica relations to new heights.
I wish all readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
