It is a great honor to be Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Commonwealth of Dominica, opening a new chapter in my diplomatic career. I’ve heard so much about the photographed scenery of Dominica while in China, and could not resist the urge to see the Nature Isle of Dominica. I arrived in Dominica at the end of last month. It struck me as impressive when the lush green mountains and saturated blue sky met my eyes. It is no wonder Dominica is dubbed the Nature Island of the Caribbean.
Though geographically far apart, since 2004 when diplomatic relations were established, China and Dominica have enjoyed rapid and steady development of bilateral relations with pragmatic cooperation in all fields continuing to deepen and expand, setting a good example of relations between countries of different sizes. At the beginning of this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, pointing out the direction for the next stage of the development of the bilateral relations.
The China-aid Windsor Park Stadium provides Dominica a venue for holding top level cricket games, as well as for big occasions such as Creole Music Festival and Independence Day celebrations. The New Town Primary School offers local communities a safe, comfortable and modernized teaching facility. The York Valley Bridge project has contributed a great deal to the development of local agriculture and tourism. The Post-Hurricane Maria Roof Restoration Project played an important role for many people in responding to the hurricane disaster. The West coast road post-Erika rehabilitation project handed over last year provides a convenient highway for people from the north and the south. Above-mentioned projects are powerful testimonies of China’s support for Dominica to become world’s first climate-resilient nation.
The China-Dominica Friendship Hospital, which has been partially put into use, is expected to be completed next year. After completion, it will become a modern hospital equipped with the most advanced medical equipment in the Caribbean. This year, Chinese medical experts also established the first cardiology department in the hospital.
Broccoli and lettuce planted by local farmers under the guidance of Chinese agricultural experts have gradually entered major supermarkets. The Dominican officials, professional and technical personnel as well as students who receive training or study in China every year are becoming envoys for the development of China-Dominica relations.
Since the outbreak of the COIVD-19 pandemic, China and Dominica have stood by each other, elevating the bilateral friendship to a new level. Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit led all cabinet members to Chinese Embassy to express solidarity with Chinese government and people in its fight against Covid-19 last year. Dominican government also overcame many difficulties to donate masks to China. China tried its best to help Dominica after Dominica reported Covid-19 cases and has donated more than 10 batches of medical supplies to Dominica, including masks, protective clothing, ventilators, forehead thermometers, test kits and so on. China also donated 20,000 does of vaccines to Dominica in March this year.
My hometown, Hainan Island is in the tropical region same as Dominica. I also worked in the Chinese Embassy in the Bahamas six years ago. Therefore, I have good understanding and deep feelings for Caribbean region. There is no better way to describe the China-Caribbean relationship than the ancient Chinese poem “Good friends feel close even when they are thousands of miles apart”. Although China and Caribbean are far apart, they have many things in common. Both sides experienced the tragic history of being colonized and invaded, so both of us firmly oppose hegemonism and power politics. Both sides are open, inclusive and hospitable peoples, so both of us are willing to broadly develop friendly relations with other countries around the world based on the principle of mutual respect. Both sides are countries prone to natural disasters, facing challenges such as climate change, so both of us attach great importance to ecological and environmental issues and make tangible efforts to its end.
2021 is a very special year for China. It marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 50th anniversary of China’s restoration of its lawful seat in the United Nations. It marks China’s fulfillment of the First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects featured by eradicating absolute poverty. It also marks China’s moving on toward the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. In recent years, Dominica is also working hard to seek economic transformation and build Dominica into the world’s first climate-resilient country. Therefore, the cooperation potential between China and Dominica is huge.
On November 22, I presented my credentials to President Charles Savarin and held talks with Prime Minister Skerrit. As the sixth Chinese Ambassador to Dominica, with my deep feelings for the Caribbean and Dominica, I will continue to deepen the friendship between China and Dominica, further develop bilateral practical cooperation in various fields, expand cultural exchanges, and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and multilateral affairs, pushing China-Dominica relations to a new height.
First, we will promote high-level exchanges as well as friendly exchanges between the governments, political parties and parliaments of the two countries. Second, we will push China-aid infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the China-Dominica Friendship Hospital with high quality and push the post-hurricane reconstruction of six schools in Dominica. Third, we will continue to carry out bilateral health cooperation such as the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, with the help of the Chinese medical team stationed in Dominica. Fourth, we will vigorously support the bilateral agricultural cooperation, guide the Chinese agricultural team to continue agricultural technology exchanges and training between the two countries, and actively push the construction of the China-aid agricultural science and technology complex building. Fifth, we will continue to promote programs for Dominican students and technical personnel to study or train in China, push the opening of Confucius Classrooms as soon as possible, and promote non-governmental exchanges between the two countries. Sixth, we will actively carry out exchanges and cooperation in climate change and international fields between China and Dominica. I believe that those pragmatic cooperation will not only promote Dominican economic and social development, but also benefit all Dominican people.
May the friendship between China and Dominica last forever.
China’s debt deplomacy sums it up.
Colonisation has returned and real wealth transfer is taking place.
Would the Ambassador be so kind and explain to the people of Dominica, why the WTA (Women’s Tennis Assocation) suspended all tournaments in China and Hongkong. My firm believe s that my country should be more selective when it chooses its ‘friends’. To say it in one sentence, with friends like that who needs any enemies. DNO, once again, shame on you for printing this shameless propaganda of a country that has a total disregard of even the most basic human rights. Shame on Skerrit for working with a country like that. Let’s get it straight, the people of DA are no friends of China, it’s only the PM of Dominica that is a ‘friend’ of China and we all know why. When is Skerrit going to show the MOU with China to the people of DA?
No matter what other people say, i still want to say thanks to China. We Dominica has suffered many disasters such storm and hurricane. When we are in trouble, who help us always? It’s China. So, thank you our friend!
…….Mary, you clearly haven’t woken up and smelled the coffee yet.
Don’t just take aid, negotiate deals to increase manufacturing in Dominica. Eg. Solar panels, their cell phone versions, anything with clean burning in the deal. Don’t just put Vince there to ensure Morocco gets The Western Sahara, a big blow to African people the world over. Be conscious. As i write, Uganda is about to surrender their airport Entebbe airport to … China, over a bad deal their president smiled and signed happily.
We dominica saying we don’t need the Chinese but they that giving us work to feed ourselves n family if they leave us what we going n do some of us dominica selfish we like to c one a other down if we getting help we should get it with open arms I not see not wrong with that at least the Pm trying to help us
OOOOMG, you are delirious from that red cool aid. You are utterly unhinged!
Broccoli and lettuce are nice, the roads are good, a hospital not to be dismissed, but Hello Dominica why did you opt to reconnect to diesel powered electricity? The Chinese could fit you out with solar energy enough to break your bonds to big oil. I thought that’s where you were going after the last hurricane. Dominica could lead the way with electric transportation and your friend China could lend a hand. Separate the good from the not so good, the freedom from the bondage and discern your better way. When every third roof went missing there was an opportunity to step into a green new future, and who better to lead the way than the nature island. It’s not to late. Take your friend the ambassador at his word, don’t give him your whales and realize the Eden you are blessed with.
Yes, makes absolute sense.
We read of Brutal China above, it’s obvious. We welcome our Dominica DEMOCRACY & NOT China’s indecency political concept upon its own people. There is absolutely no fundamental Human Rights for the Decent PEOPLE of CHINA under this CHINESE BRUTAL Communistic PARTY well OWNED by its inner circle political CHINESE BRUTAL Communistic PARTY. This China Government is exceptionally BRUTAL and inhuman. It’s obvious that neither of these Chinese Political Government people are a concrete Rock locked in their concept of an outdated despicable RED Communistic CHINESE Party OWNED by the inner political Circle and has the people of China in fear and if they talk Religious awareness, political opposite thoughts then this Brutal CHINESE BRUTAL PREMIER and government will arrest those decent Chinese people who wish to have a say of their country and NOT DICTATE CHINESE Nonsensical thoughts who condone this ongoing Brutal CHINESE Governments upon its people. Respect the RIGHTS of the CHINESE…
you must be American, i think.
A country with about 1.5 billion people having a mutual relationship with a country of approximately sixty (60)thousand is non-existent. The bigger, stronger country always exercises dominance over the smaller, weaker one.
China definitely has ulterior motives. China is overly ambitious. It seeks for world dominance. China has been flexing its muscles and flirting its money. In recent times, China is gobbling up land in poor countries; building artificial islands in international waters and blockading ships from entering; laying claim to Taiwan and continuous threatening to invade; making poor countries around the world a massive supermarket for its inferior products and produce. To criticize its government is an automatic, long jail sentence or a death sentence.
This thickening of relations between the fascist-Xi and the despot-Skerrit is an ominous omen for all Dominicans.
No dude, it’s all about votes at the U.N on issues affecting China. Countries like Morocco are doing the same, just find out what are their issues. It costs them a lot more in assistance to countries with large populations for the one same vote/support at the U.N.
Confucius Classrooms?????????? In Dominica??? In a democratic christian country???? Has our government completely lost it’s last 2 brain cells? “Do you really want to sacrifice your academic freedom, human rights and fundamental values to this free education opportunity in Chinese propaganda? ?” Evey Modern country in the world are shutting down these programs, only backward countries in Africa where they are thought that china is their new motherland an not Africa are holding on to these because the Chinese keep giving them money. go ahead Dominica, sell your soul.
The Creole language, the Kallinago language, the history of Dominica and all the battles that our people have fought and died to gain our freedom are not being taught in schools, yet, we are being told , not from our own politicians, not even our own minister of education but from a Chinese ambassador, that we will have these programs pushed on to our children? someone make it make sense to me.
We firmly believe that China has absolutely no business in our Government and our Dominica and importantly mainly our People.
We the people of Dominica has absolutely no business in accommodating CHINESE BRUTAL INHUMAN Communist Party and Government.
When China realise that they MUST have Deceny and respect for all Peoples, and MORE SO the Human RIGHTS and DIGNITY of ALL Chinese People. This one Disgusting Brutal Disrespyectful CHINESE BRUTAL one PARTY GOVERNMENT does NOT recognise the Fundamental RIGHTS of ALL Peoples’, moreso the Locked in Chinese people, who has the RIGHTS to exercise their own thoughts and RIGHTS as Independent, Decent people who are good CHINESE people, but are in psychological locked in their thoughts, their independence, their intellectual to be independent in thought, to PRACTICE their Religious Faiths and not locked in within this INHUMAN, BRUTAL Communistic System. It’s time that This Fake Chinese Government and its indecent, Brutal Leadership must Stop.
Mr. Skeritt, take advantage of things that make absolute sense. But before you sign things be sure to research similar documents some African nations signed with them, and the results. Seriously.
Ammon, be aware and ADVISED that Skerrit is NOT intellectually well knowledgeable and Experienced nor politically professional to be a leader of a Political Party nor to hold the leadership of an ailing country OUR Dominica and it’s People. Our Independent Country is in need of Well qualified, Focussed MATURED Experienced Visionary politicians with some Political Thoughts, posture and Knowledgeable of Socio-Economic DEVELOPMENT and Upliftment of our people and our Dominica.
This Deceptive RED BOBOL LABOUR Clinic is disgusting, insulting, depriving the integrity of our unemployed people and suffering jobless FAMILIES. That is where Skerrit and Team are not Well Qualified to be government Ministers at any level. The only thing going for Skerrit is this Deceptive “RED CLINIC BOBOLISTIC Deceptiveness Behavior”. Our Dominica’ our People deserved better than this. What is clear is that, we need ELEVATE our Governance ably supported by well MATURED Experienced Visionary Focussed…
Amen. And thank you.
As usual DNO allowing outside interests to come and spread their propaganda knowing fully well a top Chinese platform will never allow Dominica propaganda to be spread in theirs. Facilotating this new Chinese colonialism that is slowly taking over.
This has nothing to do with ‘China Dominica’ relations, this has to do with paying Uncle to subjugate Dominica people and its resources to Chinese interests!
Put a Cobra 🐍 Snake in your bed then find out what happens next; if you are ever able to find out.
No thanks, we’d rather not do any of that because we believe in freedom.
What does he mean by ‘renewed friendship’. They have had Dominica fully in their corner for more than a decade. What has changed to make this a renew! Them man dangerous.
China and it’s One PARTY GOVERNMENT is a Brutalize and Inhuman Communistic CHINESE System. We pray that our NATURE ISLAND COUNTRY DOMINICA will continue to be it’s well established Democratic Democracy much appreciated 😊 that our people are well deserved 👍 loved Dominicans, where we enjoy and appreciate our culture, our Religion and we’ll decent Religious PRIESTS BISHOPS, PASTORS, NUNS and many others well distinguished Pastors, well equipped and mentors to guide us to be decent independent and dependent upon ourselves and our well designated Trusted Committed Professional Dedicated Leadership committed to we the people respecting our HUMAN RIGHTS, exercising our FUNDAMENTAL DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS to exercise and participate in our Government, our RELIGIOUS Beliefs and FAITH and will NOT FOLLOW NOR CONDONE the BRUTALITY of this INHUMAN BRUTAL INHUMAN CHINESE Communist Disgusting Disrespectful Government. Every CHINESE person in their CHINA country must be respected enjoy and NOT SLAVES.
Ambassador Lin Xianjiang What can you tell us about the media reports on the sexual assault allegations made by tennis star Peng Shuai against a retired top Communist party official?
Sir, what can you tell us about the disappearance of Chise tennis star Peng Shuai shortly after she told her story?
Mr Ambassador, do you know if Chinese Tennis star Peng Shui is alive or in prison?
Is that a sign that we in Dominica should be very worried about our people when Skerrit becomes president and makes Dominica a colony of China?
I am asking because I want to know
Tell this Fake China and it’s Brutal Chinese Leader and its Blind Incompetent Government to get the Hell Out of this BRUTAL Undemocratic, and People’s Rights to choose their RIGHTS to make themselves Happy and accommodating.
This FAKE CHINESE “PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT” and its FAKE BRUTAL despicable ONE CHINESE INHUMAN Government must Get the HELL out of the ” CHINESE PEOPLE’s RIGHTS” to enjoy their Family’s lives and to stay away from them.
CHINA and CHINESE PEOPLE GOVERNMENT MUST have and DEMONSTRATE THEIR RIGHTS as Established CHINESE PEOPLE with RESPECT.