Dominica Committed to One China Policy Roseau, Dominica – Wednesday, September 24, 2014 – Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit has pledged Dominica’s continued recognition of the One China Policy. Prime Minister Skerrit stated that China can be used as a model for how developing states can go about improving the lives of its people. He was at the time addressing a reception in celebration for the 65th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on Tuesday, September 23, 2014. Prime Minister Skerrit further stated that though China has faced many challenges in the past, the determination of its leadership and people have allowed it to overcome such challenges. Recognition of the One China Policy is natural because of China’s great example to the developing world. “Dominica has been recognizing this policy for the last ten years and will remain steadfast to this policy; The One China Policy. Rest assured Your Excellency that our countries will continue to enjoy excellent relations both at the bi-lateral level and also at the multi-lateral levels. Over the last the last ten years we have seen China assisting Dominica in number of areas including the provisions of scholarship and training to dozens of young Dominicans; in the agricultural sector; in culture; in infrastructure also. In education, with assistance in the construction of the Dominica Grammar School and under construction now the new Newtown Primary School and very soon to commence the new hospital which would assist in transforming the delivery of health care to our citizens. We look very much to the commencement of this important facility, the new Princess Margaret hospital all to be finance by a grant from the Government and people of the PRC,” Prime Minister Skerrit stated. Dominica has been particularly grateful to the PRC for ensuring that decisions taken at the level of the G8 and G20 groupings do not negatively affect small island states. Prime Minister Skerrit stated, “China has also demonstrated to the world the need for us to promote peace and not war and to use diplomatic and political means to solve conflicts between and amongst nations.” Dominica and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations on March 23, 2004. Since then the two countries have enjoyed a meaningful partnership promoting mutual cooperation, culture and peace, which has been significantly beneficial to the Commonwealth of Dominica in a variety of sectors. China’s Ambassador to Dominica H.E. LI Jiangning has pledged China’s commitment to deepening relations between the two nations. Ambassador LI said that over the past ten years the friendship and cooperation between Dominica and China has grown steadily. He highlighted education, and culture as areas of cooperation that help deepen bilateral ties. “These activities add depth and width to our bi-lateral relations that will benefit more from people to people exchanges in the future. We appreciate the support that has been given to us when we are faced with natural disasters or terrorist attacks. Thank you Prime Minister for your strong support and understanding in this time. We will continue to work with our Dominican friends to bring ongoing projects smoothly to their completion and push forward those which are being finalized. This week a Chinese team of experts are in Dominica to conduct training programmes for local technicians on the installation of 2500 solar powered street lights, much has been achieved and more needs to be done. The Chinese Embassy will continue to work hard as always to further our relations and bring them to a new level,” Ambassador LI stated. At the Human Resource Development level, the total number of Dominicans (Public & Private Sector professionals) who have benefited from Chinese sponsored Training opportunities, and who have visited the People’s Republic of China during period 2005 to 2013 is between 800 and 1000. China has awarded a total of 130 full Government Scholarships to the Government of Dominica since 2004. A number of Technical and Economic Cooperation Projects aided by the Government of the People’s Republic of China have been undertaken in Dominica. Among these are: Dominica State House and Dominica State College, Windsor Park Sports Stadium the E O Leblanc Highway, the Dominica Grammar School and the Carib Territory Housing Project. The Chinese Government responded positively to Invest Dominica Authority (IDA) request for financial support for sewing groups in rural communities, and provided funding to cover acquisition of Sewing Machines, in testimony of strengthening cooperation with the Government of Dominica in job creation and community empowerment. The Dominica Police Force has also been supported with material and equipment, including motorcycles as well as formal communication language skills in mandarin Chinese.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 03:21:51 +0000
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