Chinese, Caribbean Foreign Ministers Issue Joint Press Communique

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, September 23, 2002

Chinese, Caribbean Foreign Ministers Issue Joint Press Communique

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Following is the full text of the Joint Press Communique issued by China and eight Caribbean countries after the first round of consultations in New York between the foreign ministries of the two sides.

On Sept. 16, 2002, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Tang Jiaxuan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda Lester Bird, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service of Commonwealth of the Bahamas Fred Mitchelle, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados Billie Miller, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana Samuel Insanally, Minister of External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation of St. Lucia Julian Hunte, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Surinam Maria Levens, Representative of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ambassador Philip Sealy and Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations Stafford Neil, held in New York the first round of consultations between the Foreign Ministries of China on the one hand and the eight afore-mentioned Caribbean countries on the other hand. In a cordial, friendly and business-like atmosphere, the foreign ministers exchanged views and reached broad consensus on ways to further develop relations between China and the Caribbean countries, as well as on international and regional issues of mutual interest. The two sides expressed their satisfaction with the positive results of the consultations.

1. The two sides attach great importance to developing friendly relations and cooperation between them, convinced that it is in their fundamental and long-term interests to work for a lasting, stable and comprehensive development of their relations based on the five principles of mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, no-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

2. The two sides agreed to strengthen their political dialogue at various levels and to encourage and support exchanges and cooperation between their official agencies and social groups with a view to enhancing mutual understanding and trust.

3. Both sides are of the view that greater trade and economic cooperation between China and the Caribbean countries serve their interests and have great potential. they will continue to encourage and support closer contact between their business communities and mutually beneficial cooperation of various forms. The Governments of the countries in question will create conditions favorable for the promotion of two-way trade and investment, and each will encourage the participation of the businesses and personnel of the other countries in the economic development of its own. The Chinese side will continue to offer, to the extent possible, economic assistance to the other side. The Caribbean side noted with satisfaction of the membership of China in the Caribbean Development Bank.

4. The two sides expressed willingness to continue to take positive steps for further bilateral exchanges and cooperation in science, technology, culture, education, mass media, public health and other fields.

5. The participating Caribbean foreign ministers reiterated their countries' adherence to the one-China policy, namely, there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal Government representing the whole of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. The Chinese side expressed its appreciation of this position and reaffirmed its support to Caribbean countries' quest for sustainable development and the realization of regional integration, hoping such efforts will help small economies in the Caribbean to resist the negative impact of economic globalization.

6. The two sides confirmed their similar views with respect to many current major international and regional issues, and their conviction that all countries, big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are equal members of the international community, enjoying equal rights to participate in international affairs. Both sides expressed willingness to step up consultations and cooperation in international affairs and join efforts with the rest of the world to bring about a fair and equitable international political and economic order. The two sides are following with concern the new challenges which economic globalization poses for the developing countries and urge the international community to take positive steps to ensure the economic security and development capabilities of the developing countries. The Chinese side expressed its understanding and support for the efforts by the Caribbean countries to pursue special and different treatment in international multilateral trade negotiations.

7. The Chinese side expressed its desire to establish mutually beneficial and cooperative relations with all regional organizations and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The eight Caribbean countries responded to this Chinese desire with understanding and support.

8. The two sides decided to hold their second round of consultations in Beijing, China in 2004 at the level of permanent secretary or vice minister and agreed to implement the follow-up action of this round as expeditiously as possible.

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