Although Dominica has full diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and the PRC has a working embassy and resident ambassador on the island, there is no resident Dominican ambassador in that country.
But this is about to change, according to prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit in response to questions posed by opposition MP, Edison James, in parliament on Wednesday.
“We have started the process of the reopening of our embassy in Beijing, we have identified an office location in Beijing and we will move with the process of identifying a suitably, qualified person to be our ambassador resident in Beijing in due course,” Skerrit said.
According to the prime minister Dominica values ‘exceptionally’ its relationship with the PRC. “We are the only party that has indicated its strong relationship with the PRC and our respect and adherence to the One China Policy,” he stated. “Taiwan is a province of China and we will do everything possible to assist towards the peaceful reunification of the whole of China.”
However James was not satisfied and questioned whether it was an aberration that Dominica has been without a resident ambassador in the PRC for such a long period of time.
Skerrit shot back by saying that when James was prime minister, Dominica had no permanent representative in Washington or the United Nations.
He pointed out that running embassies is costly for a small country like Dominica. “If we are going to have a presence in Beijing, which is one of the most important capitals in the world, we have to be able to ensure that the office there is properly resourced and they have the means of properly representing the people and government of Dominica,” the prime minister noted.
The Government of Dominica and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations on March 31st, 2004.
“We are the only party that has indicated its strong relationship with the PRC and our respect and adherence to the One China Policy,” he stated. “Taiwan is a province of China and we will do everything possible to assist towards the peaceful reunification of the whole of China.”
Where is our Dominica dignity; where is our Dominica independence? Could it be that we have sold our dignity, and independence to China?
The term one China policy simple means complete loyalty to someone or something; so whereas in Dominica we agree to the adherence of the one China Policy, it would appear that our nation is in complete submission to China, this means we are back to square one; in what appears to be back in into the days of slavery.
I have four biological children, and as many more grandchildren, however, not one of them have thus far sworn complete loyalty to me. Adherence is the act, of steady, or faithful attachment to something; in this case Dominica seems to have become attached to the communist nation, of China, and the will of this communist nation, one of the only two remaining on earth, the other is Cuba!
The British set us free from their form of colonialism, and economic slavery; however, rather that becoming masters of our own destiny, we are back on our belly crawling at the feet of the Chines!
Taiwan has been a free nation longer than Dominica, yet we hope to do everything possible, within our power to ensure that Taiwan will become part of China thus we hope to take away the freedom of a nation, all because we have sworn complete loyalty to some man, who is not God Almighty.
I wonder how soon will mandarin (the Chines language) become the official language of Dominica?
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Me Me Me ME!!!! i want to go!!! garcon pick me!
Why?
This embassy would need to be staffed and equipment for maintaining it paid for. Not sure if the embassy itself would have to be paid by Dominica.
So the Government of Dominica would be borrowing money from China to pay for an embassy in China!
The students who return from China should be given the job to operate the Dominica Embassy in China and they in turn could work along with the ambassador. America has not even lifted a finger to assist us in anything why should we link more with this corrupt nation of America?
USA is the world’s menace right now, they medle into the affairs of the world and her allies are backing out. she’s in danger.
Sour grapes?!
@dominicanheart so why our sinor counsel,and other leading government persons will go to the USA to start their families;why not in china.if you have a choice to ,go somewhere i am sure you would go and live in china,right,
And while they’re at it, lobby hard for the long overdue international airport.
Unless the government can prove to us the net to be gained. I see no purpose for this . As it is do we not have a huge amount of outstanding debt on our balance of payments. If so why are we creating more ? The money should be used instead to develop the local economy within.
I wonder if China going to give them the money to reopen the embassy.
Foreign embassies serve the government and the nationals of the country who are either residents or visitors to that country. The truth is we do not have a sizable Dominican community in China nor do we have a traveling Dominican public going to China. It is impractical both in costs and impact to have a Dominican embassy in China. It would be better to have our interests looked after by another foreign embassy.
Mr Skerrit said that when James was Prime Minister Dominica had no Permanent Representative in Washington and the United Nations. Skerrit knows he was not speaking the truth as usual, this man is a compulsive liar.The facts are Mr Richards was the Ambassador to the United Nations and although Former President Liverpool was not permanent he was the Ambassador to Washington.
Why would anybody want to go to China? lets see: They force women to kill their babies, especially if it’s a girl child, there is so much smog in that place that you don’t see the sun for days, they go around wearing face masks because of the pollution, thousands of their people die prematurely each year due to illnesses surrounding the environment…….Domininca, really, China is a zoo!
Skerrit Dominicans HATE CoMMUNISM, WE LOVE AMERICA, that is why 90% of our people migrate to AMerica and not China.
no we hate america
America encourages HOMOSEXUALITY and it supports the mark of the beast, they force VISA on us. They do not contribute to the development of Black Countries. Tell me one acility they have ever placed on Dominica?
Accepting America is accepting the mark of the beast, this super power is trhe little horn of revelation beware of the USA.
U asked for 1 facility that america placed in dominica. Here’s one. Ross University., as a bonus you will also get the Clear harbour facility. These among others pump millions into the economy. China on the other hand only appears to give, but in reality they take away most of the money since is mostly loans the give and only their folks are employed. Don’t forget the scores of Chinese businesses that have displaced local shops in Roseau and elsewhere they account for a further financial drain on the economy as they serve to further export loads of scare foreign exchange from the Nature Isle
So, is James saying that irrespective of everything – Dominica must and should have had an embassy in China?
i think we should have, but this needs to be a responsible unrushed thing that has to happen. I’m sure that in case of some event where a national needs assistance while in China, there has to be a protocol in place.
the embassy will come – maybe China will even fund it’s upkeep.
Afterall…Dominica loves ONE CHINA
Why does Skeritt always have to wait until the opposition ask questions about what are affecting Dominicans for him to react. Had it not been for the opposition, Dominicans would never know anything about the garbage bins transactions which subsequently led to a repayment of funds to the treasury. Dominicans would never know anything about the land deals involving Skeritt, remember the repayment to the treasury. Dominicans would never know anything about the alleged owners of the Villas, it is alleged Skeritt is a part owner. Dominicans would never know anything about an alleged missing fifty four million dollars, again Skeritt’s name was mentioned. Dominicans were not informed about an Ambassador holding a Dominican pass port until he was subsequently arrested. Today we are informed, thanks to the
opposition plans are being put in place to reopen a Chinese embassy after several years.
Send Ambassador Aaron,make Him work for His money instead of spending all His time on the media defending Skeritt.
There should be a joined embassy with OECS or windward Islands. It is a waste of resources for Dominica. I also thing that the same should be done in other places such as Cuba etc.
Your suggestion makes a lot of sense. The entire OECS amounts to only approx. 600,000 people and to have one embassy would not only defray costs but also reinforce the Govt’s stated goal of integration.
I remember at one time in the United Kingdom, when Sir Lionel Luckoo, was the High Commissioner for both Barbados and Guyana. Made sense
Sorry but i need more info to understand the reason behind this move. That is just more money being sent out of the country.
Listen to what skerritt said. “Taiwan is a province of China (Colony) and WE will do everything possible to assist towards the PEACEFUL unification of the whole of China.” Neither America nor any other developed Countries in the world could get China to curb its ruthless behavior – but skerritt think he and his Dominican people can. His seed is bigger than his head.
Skeritt talking “Utter Rubbish” as usual
LOL, the U.S has openly said that it will not allow China to invade or occupy Taiwan. So this is a non-issue
WE are too small to go alone.
Sorry but history and geography tells me that a province is not a colony.Are the provinces of Quebec and Alberta colonies or integral parts of Canada? I don’t want to be seen as being critical, but please do some reading and with the help of a dictionary check out the meaning of the words colony and province.
@ Rhum Buco. You must have had too much of that rum. There is absolutely no comparison between Canada/Quebec, and China/Taiwan. Taiwan wants to left alone but China wants it under its grasp to keep America at bay. Open your mind a bit broader and examine the word “Colony.” Shay-Kit knows what he/she’s talking about. Shut up…
Why does USA owe so much money to China?? Why does the USA want all it prime business to have branches in China?? Why does the USA have top class diplomatic relations with China??
Small Island mind so small mind thinking!! Open yours eyes,take note of what is happening in the world.
The USA and European government does not care about the caribbean no more. Therefore we must find new ways to get funding for our inter structural and social problems/programs.
I therefore say some of you use the computer to just chat basic garbage.
I am sorry if i hurt anyone feelings… But I am calling it as i see it..
Why does USA owe so much money to China?? Why does the USA want all it prime business to have branches in China?? Why does the USA have top class diplomatic relations with China??
Small Island mind so small mind thinking!! Open yours eyes,take note of what is happening in the world.
The USA and European government do care about the caribbean no more. Therefore we must find new ways to get funding for our inter structural and social problems/programs.
I therefore some of you use the computer to just chat basic garbage.
I am sorry if i hurt anyone feelings… But I am calling it as i see it..
When u say “govt.do care” what do u mean, are u saying that they care?
This is so true
You have not hurt anyone feelings because you have said practically nothing
USA owe china because China increasing there reserves to keep there currency value low for export get your facts straight .
@ Gem: perfectly said
@ DA for Death. You must understand the term “owing China.” China cannot see America when comes to wealth – So shut up.
You must also say that America is owing China trillions of dollars due to borrowing from China. This is a fact. I suppose America recognizes the wealth that is in China and China in turn recognizes the opportunities that exist in loaning America money. We behave as though it is a crime for Dominica to borrow from China or to have any relations with China. We find every reason to cricize the relationship. tell those young people who benefitted from the scholarship in China that Dominica should not have goen to China. I am challenging the nay sayers to go round Dominica and find ten people who recieved scholarships from Taiwan to study at universities there in all of the 23 or so years that we doggedly towed the Taiwanese line. Just ten individuals and I am not referringto those who attended seminars or short courses. i mean full university professional training. Compare that to the las ten years and I am very sure you will see the difference – so far in ten years, we have more than 100 young people form mostly poor families who have benefitted from the relationship. Education is just one positive outcome of changing the dipomatic guard and recognize the one China policy. i suppose you preferred the 23 years of pawpaw, tilapia and the yearly $1,000,000.00 for “community” projects.
Very GOOD idea; it was/is long overdue. And do you know what? I have a recommendation: make Rock Bruno from Marigot the ambassador!!
Wait, edison actually went to Parliament? I’m shocked he even remembered where it was located…
I guess sending Francine Baron to the UK was much more important. The arrogance, nd capability of Roosevelt Skerrit is just so blatant. Edison James administration did not have a representative in Washington or the UN is a good reason why we don’t have a representative ambassador to China since the Layou River Hotel scandal.
The PM was so quick to get rid of Taiwan yet it is OK to not have an ambassador to China in china.
Francesco coarallo has been our FAO ambassador and now in jail and no word to the peope of Dominica. We did not know that we had an FAO ambassador until that ambassador was in legal problems. The ambassador was on the INTERPOL most wanted list and still nothing from the government. Today corallo has since surrendered to the Italian police after hiding in the DR for a year; still nothing from the government regarding Corallo and our diplomatic passport.
What is interesting is that Emmanuel Nanthan is our ambassador to Libya and still special advisor to the prime minister – all of that without a degree. ( lol)
What about our ambassador to Chile – where is he right now and is he still drawing a salary. He may want to answer the question on DNO from Florida.
While we talking about ambassador and since Isidore is reporting on passport sales maybe Isidore can tell us how many diplomatic passports are out there sold on unsold.
???
really skerrit?
so many ppl losing jobs at Call center n Brizees mart n u opening an embassy in Beijing?
LOL!
Isnt that what your UWP wants? Irrespective of D/cas financial situation?
Anyways… at the rate at which China is supplementing Dca and Dcans goign to China to study, it may just be imperative that we need an embassy there.
You forgot who ask the question and who was not satisfied with the answer and so asked a supplementary question?
Why do you want an embassy in China? More to the point, why do we have such a close relationship with China in the first place? Our alliances should be with the West and other democratic countries. Don’t get me wrong, no harm in being friendly with PRC but this relationship goes well beyond that and worries me a great deal. The doctrine of this country and it’s people is different to ours. They are communists with a very poor record on human rights. My word of advice: DOMINICA BEWARE!
You should ask Mr.James that question.He was the one who asked for it.Whether there is an embassy in China.
Why does USA owe so much money to China?? Why does the USA want all it prime business to have branches in China?? Why does the USA have top class diplomatic relations with China??
Small Island mind so small mind thinking!! Open yours eyes,take note of what is happening in the world.
The USA and European government do care about the caribbean no more. Therefore we must find new ways to get funding for our inter structural and social problems/programs.
I therefore some of you use the computer to just chat basic garbage.
I am sorry if i hurt anyone feelings… But I am calling it as i see it..
I am not talking about business relations with China nor am I talking about structural or social projects on a bilateral basis here. What I am talking about the way Skerrit goes about it. Do you think that all this funding from China for Dominica is free of charge? Think again! There is nothing like a free lunch. What makes me even more suspicious that he might sell out Dominica to the red brigade, is the fact that up until now nobody in Dominica has seen the MoU with the PCR, nor is Skerrit prepared to talk about it. Are you perhaps one of the few privileged ones and you know more than we do? As far as chating garbage is concerned, by all means if the cap fits wear it. It’s people like you who think they know it all that chat garbage. I wonder where you get your wisdom from? Rum shack talk in the evenings perhaps.
But skerritt too is communist!!! Surprised? A communist man is PM in a “Democratic” Island. Look foolish people.
@Shay-kit hahah lol
Are you telling us that we should not develope a relationship with china and pursue the west while the west is pursuing china.
Partisan politics is like crack to our people. We do and say anything for partisan sake. Edison James is asking a valid question. In fact this question had been out in the public for a number of years.
A pure waste of our little dollars. No need to.
It could be self-financing through the economic citizenship programme, just as our High Commission in London is used as a clearing house for citizenship applications, emanating from the Middle East, through Dubai.
Please advise Edison James, one of the leaders of uwp.