Dominica shows the way with increased mutual cooperation and political trust
On Sept 6, a handover ceremony will take place for a China-aided hospital in the Commonwealth of Dominica. At the same event, advanced equipment provided by China, such as HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), will be put into use. The Dominican government has decided to name it the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital, in tribute to China’s contribution to the development of medical treatment and public healthcare in Dominica.
Dominica, a Caribbean island country of 70,000 inhabitants, is far from China and also differs greatly from China in terms of size, economy and social systems.
However, since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2004, relations between the two countries have developed well, seeing enhanced political mutual trust, economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchanges and people-to-people communication. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Leaders and foreign ministers of both countries have exchanged congratulatory messages. Also, a series of events, such as China-Dominica Friendship Day and A Taste of China, featuring Chinese cuisine, have been promoted at the Chinese embassy in Dominica.
Four characteristics of the ties between China and Dominica stand out.
The first is equality. China always upholds the principle of equality among countries, whether they be big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor. China also opposes the strong bullying the weak. After establishing diplomatic ties, China and Dominica developed their ties on the foundation of mutual respect, equality and noninterference.
It is also important to keep one’s word. Over the past 15 years, China has kept its promise by helping build the Windsor Park Stadium, the New Town Primary School and the York Valley Bridge. In 2017, when Dominica was devastated by Hurricane Maria, China launched the Roof Restoration Project to help the country. It also promoted construction of roads and resettlement houses and the expansion and rebuilding of hospitals, thus playing a great role in Dominica’s reconstruction.
China has also stood with Dominica in its ambition to build the first climate resilient country in the world.
Dominica has undergone significant changes after aid from China helped it build the State House, stadium, new hospital and the West Coast Road.
Of course, this assistance is only part of the development of bilateral ties, not to forget China’s international responsibility as the world’s largest developing country.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Dominica has firmly stuck to the one-China principle, refraining from official or unofficial exchanges with Taiwan. It also works closely with China in international affairs and supports China playing a bigger role in global governance.
People-to-people exchanges always help bridge two countries culturally. China has provided government scholarships to over 150 Dominican students, many of whom have grown into the backbone of economic and social development in Dominica.
China also offers short-term skills training courses for professionals from Dominica. Many Chinese experts in the field of agriculture and medical treatment have been sent to Dominica for technical cooperation. Last year, the Chinese navy hospital ship Peace Ark visited Dominica for the first time and provided free medical services and humanitarian assistance to over 5,000 people. In addition, Dominican representatives have been invited to China to participate in activities such as art festivals. The incoming Confucius classrooms at the Dominica State College will also help promote closer people-to-people exchanges.
There is an old saying in China — a just cause enjoys abundant support while an unjust one finds little support. It is because China upholds correct and just values that its relations with Dominica have developed, gaining the trust and support of Dominica.
Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has expressed his appreciation of friendship between the two countries on several public occasions.
In recent years, some Western countries have tried to smear China’s foreign aid policy, but Skerrit defended it by insisting that no measures taken by China to help Dominica’s development were accompanied by improper demands. Last month, when typhoon Lekima hit China’s eastern coastal provinces and cities, causing severe damage to many areas, Skerrit and Alix Boyd Knights, speaker of the Parliament, as well as officials from the foreign ministry were among the first to express concerns, showing deep friendship between the two countries.
Developing Sino-Dominican relations is not just the wish of the respective governments, but also the expectation of many ordinary people. Each time, on my way to the airport during business trips, many residents wave enthusiastically when they see cars with Chinese flags. Many people even say hello to me in Chinese.
A member of a Chinese aid project team who once got lost approached local security personnel for assistance. When told that the Chinese man was in Dominica for the construction of a new hospital, the Dominican man said: “It is my pleasure to help you.” He then drove the Chinese man to his destination.
Sino-Dominican relations are only a microcosm of China’s relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries. With regard to developing countries, China upholds justice while pursuing shared interests and adheres to mutual respect, equality, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s proposal to build a Sino-LAC community with a shared future. The two sides have worked together to build a new, five-dimensional relationship characterized by sincerity and mutual trust in the political field, win-win cooperation on the economic front, mutual learning and emulation in the cultural sphere, close coordination in international affairs, as well as synergy between China’s cooperation with the region as a whole and its bilateral relations with individual regional countries.
At present, China and LAC countries enjoy close cooperation in infrastructure, energy and resources, agriculture, education and medical care. Nineteen countries in the region have signed cooperation memorandums with China on the Belt and Road Initiative. Confucius institutes and classrooms have sprung up all over the region. The development of Sino-LAC relations demonstrates the broad prospect of a community with a shared future for mankind.
This article first appeared on China Daily Global Edition.
China never does anything for free, they have plans for Dominica while the British and USA sit on their hands. One would think that as a former British colony the British would be concerned about what is happening on Dominica with China buying Dominica from yours truly the millionaire
I have only one thing to say in regards to this “commentary”, TIBET.
Win, win, for the future Chinese Dominica colony and navy base in the middle of the Caribbean courtesy of yours truly, millionaire minister of finance.
The entire healthcare system in Dominica needs very urgent attention. Too many lives are being lost and too many citizens and residents have to seek medical attention overseas. Anything to improve the present situation is welcomed. With that said, the Chinese government does nothing without strings attached. Nothing is free with them. They are seeking support in international forums for their selfish ambitions of global economic dominance . A trade war is brewing. They are recolonizing Africa and other poor countries and regions throughout the world. Who do you think suggested that convenient name for the hospital? What about renaming the hospital in honour of a local nurse, doctor or administrator who gave a lifetime of service to the profession. Why do we always neglect our own for foreigners? Too many foreign advisors, building contractors, hoteliers reaping benefits that should go to the long suffering local people. Time to reverse this.
people of dominica the goverment better be able to pay back for this confort, or else china will take over the hospital.and their will be no more free service, becaue sister lou will be the casher. this friendship is a rope around our neck.because chin no love no black man. sorry.
Where are the pictures of inside the Hospital?..
Skerrit has no respect for the Opposition in any form, but the Parliamentary opposition and in Particular, he abhors.
Why else is he attempting to sabotage every instance of the Massive Rally Planned for same date as this charade he tries to stage?
We want to see pictures of inside the hospital, and why the Hell that after 5 years of construction we still talking about phase 1. A lesson do Dominicans, see Mugabe died seeking Medical attention outside his own country where he ruled for 37 years? Ask any nurse or Doctor, when last Skerrit was served at the PMH?
Nothing but propaganda for China and Skerrit. Nothing but!
a piece of an hospital will be handed over…..let’s get de facts straight
China is not handing over a new hospital!
de fact is you make no mention at all of the MOU that our PM says he negotiated for 13 hrs…..is someone lying to us Dominicans?
China HAS NOT DID NOT BUILD ANY NEW HOSPITAL IN DOMINICA….get your facts straight!
i have noticed thus:
you single out for praise
skerrit
alix boyd knight
foreign ministry
a piece of an hospital will be handed over today
this coming from de world’s 2nd largest economy after 15 years of relations
that is an eye opener for de real patriots of Dominica
nuff said
The Chinese are not altruistic people by nature. There are ulterior motives here. The flurry of activities and the pletota of recent high profile statements from Chinese officials resident in Dominica should be viewed with suspicion. Elections are around the corner and the Chinese are trying their endeavour best to shore up the most corrupt regime in the Caribbean, the DLP’s CONCOCTION of liars and depraved characters. Nothing will work for the vast majority of Dominicans have suffered too much hunger pains and indignities for far too long. The people have the final say and will deliver the decisive BLOW to Skerrit, his spineless disciples and his dimwitted cult-like followers.
Just wait for election day and YOU Ibo MALAPROP France will see who will receive the decisive blow.
One could always trust so-called Workers blue bellys boomboom flies to talk crap especially this guy above he is talking so much crap his teeth is turning brown!! These people sure needs help.
So you are a sociologist, LOL. I say this regarding your statement, “The Chinese are not altruistic people by nature.” Do you really believe such statement to be a fact regarding the nature of Chinese people. Why do you just sit behind your computer and write such nonsense believing what you have written is a fact, it’s what you do every day, it’s a symptom of an unproductive mind just saying things making judgements without being rational, such behavior is not helping in bringing the change you want to see in Dominica. I’m glad that you understand the people of Dominica have the final say in choosing The Government they believe is competent in handling the affairs of the Country for the next 5 years.
Mary, you are absolutely correct. The people of Dominica will soon vote for a new government because they are sick and tired of corruption, nepotism, constant lies and deception and misappropriation of state fund by the current PM.
These UWP puppets are telling so many LIES.Then cannot even PROVE to the Dominican people they,are not LYING.
while one should appreciate and accept any assistance from other countries ,I remember one conversation I had with someone in my village who said china gives us all of this and look for nothing in return as we have nothing to offer and my response to that was conformed in the statement above Dominica also works closely with china in international affairs and supports china playing a bigger role in global affairs ,In other words Dominica cannot vote against china at the U N not even abstention BRINGS to mind a relative lending me money theN saying A DOG THAT IS TIED IS TO BE BATEN
China always upholds the principle of equality among countries, whether they be big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor. China also opposes the strong bullying the weak. So i guess the inhumane treatment of the people of Yemen and the attempted bullying of the people of Hong Kong is just frenziedly times between neighbors right? DNO WHY ARE YOU PUBLISHING LIES?
The so call prime minister is selling out Dominica to the Chinese Republic, the ruthless government slowly.
What a shame a hospital that’s not fully completed is being handed over. where the Billions gone . Pure pressure on this corrupt government. Why the rush on handing over on this facility when a building haven’t been completed and no trained personnel for this hospital
Pure election propaganda and another smoke screen to calm the masses for the time being in regards to the missing CBI money
Any idea to reduce the value of government is usually promoted by the uwp group, the advocates of trouble.
Those fifth graders want the sick people in the hospital to be sent home and service to out patience terminated until the “pie in the sky” hospital is completed ..WOW !
Have they heard of construction management without compromising service. I guess all they listen to is the voice of chaos and demonstration over and over until they are so brainwashed that they are unable to see , hear or think correctly. They get into zombie mode and become blind followers with no mind of their own.
I am not reading this. We have been independent for 41 years and i am not going to be here celebrating another imperial country flexing influence insecure black people. The title for this should not be Win – win time but You scratch my back i scratch yours. China is looking to spread thier influence in the west and Dominica is providing that platform. Dont you guys notice everytime election is near there is a flurry of activities involving Chinese gifts. This is them helping skerrit secure victory. Europeans used the same technique steal africa. All you need is to get an insecure mentally challenged inept individual in power. One with no moral fortitude, and you can buy them. Abandonment by mother and not knowing who your father is can have long lasting psychological effect on an individual. They most time lack empathy, are psycopaths, have a false sense of reality, and when given power becomes lunatics with a jim jones like charisma where some will follow to hell.
“The first is equality. China always upholds the principle of equality among countries, whether they be big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor. China also opposes the strong bullying the weak.” This is how this guy truly sees Dominica. So does china. He is probably part of the Chinese intelligence apparatus. His face alone i would not trust. In life the truth is revealed btw the lines. He sees Dominica and Dominicans as weak or weaker people. He may be right. There is no free lunch. Predators on the prowl always seek out the weak and injured to devour for lunch. Depending on foriegn aid to do everything is nothing but failure of a gov to develop its people and itself. Weak.