Dominica reiterates commitment to One China policy

“I will say to you that this government and the entire country has no regret for taking that bold but important decision in recognizing the One China policy,” Skerrit said.

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the  One China policy as Dominica observed the sixth anniversary of diplomatic relations with China.

“Six years ago…I embarked on a mission towards the establishment of relations between Dominica and China and terminated the relations between Dominica and Taiwan after 21 years,” Skerrit told a ceremony on Tuesday night, describing the decision to break relations with Taipei which Beijing considers a renegade province as “a major step”.

“I will say to you that this government and the entire country has no regret for taking that bold but important decision in recognizing the One China policy,” he said.

Skerrit said that Dominica remains “absolutely committed and unwavering in its commitment” in recognizing the One China policy.

“We believe in Dominica and this government believes that it is the right decision, not only for Dominica but the entire world,” Skerrit said, noting that the entire world needed to take a closer look at the People’s Republic of China.

“We all know that China is a member of the UN Security Council…with veto power and I believe that if the entire world population and particularly those who often times make some quick decisions on behalf of the rest of the world were to listen a little more to China we would not be seeing ourselves engaging in wars with no end, but would see a promotion of peace and prosperity for the world’s people.

“I say so because China has provided reasonable leadership at the UN Security Council on many and several issues confronting the world and with respect to Dominica-China relations we have strengthened, deepened …over the last six years”.

Skerrit said that the relationship has allowed Dominica to improve its human resource base to the point that six years later, Dominicans serve as official translators on official trips by government ministers to Beijing.

The Chinese Embassy here confirmed that a Chinese contractor has already visited here ahead of plans to construct the Dominica State College.

Beijing is providing a concessionary loan to Dominica for the project and has also provided scholarships for locals to study in China.

In addition, it has funded the construction of a sports stadium, a new wing of the Dominica Grammar School and the construction of a road spanning the entire west coast of the island.

The Chinese have also promised to start construction “soon” on a new hospital.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

26 Comments

  1. Josh
    April 20, 2012

    Ask yourselves ‘what is in this for China?’ and ‘why are they being so friendly and generous?’
    There is always a catch.
    If someone could provide the answers on here I’d be pleased… as long as it isn’t PR spin.
    Tell me what is in all this for China???

  2. November 12, 2011

    Your prime minister needs some advice.

  3. jesus lives in china
    March 26, 2010

    yeah what country gives so much money to another country “just like that”

  4. orwellian communism
    March 26, 2010

    SHOW ME UR COMPANY AND I WILL TELL U WHO U ARE. CHINA, VENEZUELA 2 COMMUNIIST COUNTRIES WITH DICTATORIAL GOV. BUT HEY WHO CARES WE LOV OUR PRIME MINISTER AND EVERYTHING HE DOES IS FINE. TALK ABOUT 1984 BY GEORGE ORWELL. DUMB IN CAN ACT LIKE SHEEPLES, THEY DO NOT QUESTION ANYTYHING. PPL ACT LIKE SKERRIT IS ALMIGHT AND CAN DO NO WRON. I NOTHING AGAINST THEY GUY FOR HE HAS THE POTENTIAL 2 MOVE DOMINICA FORWARD BUT I THINK THAT HE HAS MORE GOING ON THAN WE KNOW. I DO NOT HAVE TO SIT STILL AND TAKE IT ALL BCAUSE HE IS PRIMINISTR. I QUESTION ANYTHING THAT DOESN’T FIT IN2 ITS PLACE. CHECK THE LATEST FIASCO ABOUT THE WALL AND THE COST THAT DOESN’T MATCH. 100777 DOT COM, FORBIDDENKNOWLEDGE DOT COM, BIBLEBELIEVERS DOT ORG, EDUCATEYOURSELF DOT COM

  5. Cesare Bonventre
    March 25, 2010

    Dominica benefits as China AND TAIWAN benefit by Dominica’s solidarity with China in this regard!

    The sooner Taiwan fully embraces China the sooner Taiwan can see business coming its way once more!

    I have done much business in China & have many friends in Taiwan whom I visit. Taiwan won’t get much international business & will thus remain “a poor-man’s version of Tokyo” until their politicians agree to unify.

    Ironically, the people of Taiwan have friends, relatives, and business in China – AND HAVE NO RELUCTANCE IN FORMALLY JOINING CHINA!

  6. Out of South City
    March 25, 2010

    What I see happening here is that politics is the talk of the hour and be it Feudalism, Communism, Capitalism or Socialism, these are all Idealisms (pursuit of one’s ideas) that men impose upon the masses. Government is not true to the people unless it is of the order of The Holy One of Israel. When I say Israel I am talking of a nation of people who have been removed so far from Him. Not the so -called Jews who reside in Israel fighting the Palestinians. They are transplants from all over Europe who inhabited that part of the world and adopted the lifestyle and language of the people. True Israel are those of the Diaspora and those living on the African Continent. No governmnt will ever be able to restore peace to this world because they all have their agenda which has nothing to do with God Almighty. There needs to be order in the earth but instead what do we see? Every nation wants to be in control and they want the world to believe that their system of Government is good. That’s why there is confusion among nations because no form of Government can provide peace on earth.

  7. Anonymous
    March 25, 2010

    We need an international airport here in dominica night landing is not all of it

  8. wonderfull
    March 25, 2010

    The arrogance, or rather stupidity of the PM is so shining that all the world must be wondering why we have such an immature person as head of the country!!!!
    I guess he will get a pass because is not his fault the man young not true dat!!!!!!!!!! well

  9. Anonymous
    March 25, 2010

    hey at least now we can build the international airport in Wesley its about time to have some backers

  10. Dubiqois
    March 25, 2010

    I am all for countries creating diplomatic ties with each other. It is the life-blood of all countries- particularly in the globalized setting. However, at what cost? When we created ties with Japan, it was at a very high cost. Do you remember what it was? Giving them the rights to whaling of the coast of Dominica. Do you remember the repercussion? Lost revenue through tourism, and criticism from many countries and environmentalist groups. Besides the pressure to cut ties with Japan by the environmentalist groups, do you know the other reason? China – under its One-China policy. With a massive economic structure, China is throwing its weight around. Read about the Domino effect when China negotiates and creates ties with under-developed countries.

    Read, people…read!!!

  11. Dubiqois
    March 25, 2010

    Read, people…read.

    In order for China to establish relations with Dominica, they vehemently asked Dominica to severe ties with Taiwan. Remember, Beijing regards Taiwan as a breakaway province. Since 1949, the KMT has regarded China as illegitimate; and China in turn views Taiwan as legitimately part of China. China has been professing a One-China principle when it create economic and political ties with underprevileged countries/islands.

    Read about China’s emerging economy, and what they are expecting from lesser developed countries with whom they create ties.

    You guys need to read, and get attached to the world outside – so that you know how things come to be in D/ca.

    Do you know what the One-China policy is? It says that in order for China to create ties with any countries – particularly those it gives aid to; that country must severe ties with Taiwan, because China does not recognize Taiwan….Read, people….read.

  12. Prophet2
    March 25, 2010

    So Dominica gained Her independence then why can’t Taiwan? Dominicans love democracy so why can’t Taiwanese enjoy it too? This is high-class hypocrisy, and we call ourselves Christians.

  13. One Dominica policy with Bird Island
    March 24, 2010

    No one Dominica policy? Bird island belongs to Dominica yet there is no pronouncements by the DLP Gov’t regarding our right to claim Bird Island. Rosie Douglas was fighting hard as a labourite to ensure sovereignty over Bird Island. That claim has been dropped. Dominica has been receiving money from Venezuela as foreign relations have deepened so Dominica remains tight -lipped over Venezuela’s claim to Bird Island.

    Some agree to the fact that the move to China was clouded in secrecy. Some doubt that fact. However, up to now, the Dominican public has no idea what the agreement between China and Dominica entails. No public knowledge of the MOU, although it was said that the move was done on the behalf of the people, yet the people cannot have access to the Agreement? It serves the country better if such relations are more transparent and people know exactly what their gov’t is doing on their behalf.

    Local businesses will never be able to compete with their Chinese business persons in Dominica. So while PM boasts of One China policy, Dominican authorities have allowed Bird Island to be taken from us. Secondly, local businesses are swamped by increasing Chinese businessmen with cheaper chinese products.

    Dominica’s first ambassador to China ended up in court in the BVI with the Dominica Gov’t. Why? What went wrong? He was a good friend and adviser to the DLP Gov’t. With all that the country’s productive sector is in shambles

    • nonesense
      March 25, 2010

      I do agree with u on this one. Dominicans blinded by the DLP Gov’t they shut their mouth if it was DFP or UWP u would hear them. Chenise that running the town just now is the world country they will take over.

  14. March 24, 2010

    Two way is bad bro,better go one way.

  15. March 24, 2010

    good p.m…no cheating our chinese baby

  16. March 24, 2010

    Birds of a feather, Flock together. is a China, a Cuba, a Venezuela, ……

    We don’t have to suck the Chinese bott and renounce other countreis for China sake,

    just because they are rejecting that country.

    See how the Chinese Govt. is supporting and supplying arms to the Govt. of Sudan, Arabs, in destroying our black brothers in Darfur. and at the U.N conference ,blocking the embargo on Sudan.

    The trend that mr. Skerit is taking is dangerous!

  17. COMMUNIST
    March 24, 2010

    WE THINK THAT COMMUNISIM IS BAD BUT NOT FULLY APART FROM FREDOM OF SPEACH OF WHICH WE DOMINICANS HAVE T MUCH OF.THERE ARE MANY GOOD THINGS ABOUT COMMUNISM AND WE ARE NOT TOLD ABOUT IT WE ARE JUST ALWAYS TOLD THAT U CANT TALK ABOUT THE GOV OR OPPOSE THEM AMONG A FEW OTHERS .NOW AM NOT PROMOTING COMMUNISM BUT GET SOME MORE FACTS ABOUT IT. ALSO ALL THE MOTHER COUNTRYS GO TO CCHINA TO DO BUSSINESS SO WHY SHOULD WE NOT GO IF THATS WHERE WE CAN GET THE HELP THAT WE NEED?

    • only
      March 28, 2010

      Tell us what is good about communism. I am all ears.

  18. de caribbean change
    March 24, 2010

    Let it be “The New Princess Magaret Medical Center” in Goodwill at the same location of the present PMH. Let the west coast road be “The EO Leblanc West Coast Highway”. My problem with China is that it never wants to take a hard stand on other communist countries like North Korea when it knows for a fact that these so-called communist nations are doing what is never in the best interest of the rest of the world. But aside from this, I do applaud China for the good things it’s doing for Dominica.

  19. Being Frank
    March 24, 2010

    Was it Skerritt who entered into relations with China? Skerritt be frank with the people of Dominica. What was the role of David Hsui, Dominica’s ambassador to China, who Dominicans knew nothing about? The whole issue was clothed in secrecy. Nobody could see or know about the agreement between Dominica and China. I wonder why Skerritt didn’t want people to know about the agreement. If it was so good a thing why was the deal hidden from us even though people begged for access to the agreement since it was done on Dominica’s behalf.?

    Dominicans, it was those same persons who were involved in the failed Layou River Hotel development fiasco, who engeneered the move. What happened with the relationship between Skerritt and David Hsui? Didn’t it go sour until court case in BVI? Who in Dominica knew what was going on until that case came about?

    Check how many small Chinese businesses have set up from the Bay Front right up to Astaphan’s Shopping Centre in King George V Street and all over Roseau? While agriculture, manufacturing and the other productive sectors have decreased considerably, the Chinese Business sector in Dominica is growing with a local market for exclusively Chinese goods. On the other hand, slowly local Dominican businesses have been closing shop.

    Stop being egoistic, self-centred. Relations between countries must always be transparent and not seen as a personal, narcissist position. The people of Dominica deserve to be treated better than that. None of us will know what really took place with David Hsui, Grace Tung and the Gov’t of Dominica re. China deals, Layou River Hotel fiasco, BVI case and Felix Chen and $$$$$ involved.

  20. Arnold
    March 24, 2010

    wow! ” I believe that if the entire world population and particularly those who often times make some quick decisions on behalf of the rest of the world were to listen a little more to China we would not be seeing ourselves engaging in wars with no end, but would see a promotion of peace and prosperity for the world’s people.” Doesn’t he know that China is a communist nation and many of their people are being opressed by their own governement. Peace and prosperity …. sure there is a lot of peace in China…

    • Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, indeed:

      .The Sports Stadium

      .A new Wing added to the Dominica Grammar School

      Loans for projects and study in China, one can appreciate these handouts, however, a very meager amount in comparison to what the Chines have spent in Darfur for example, and in other places on the African continent.

      A meager amount to what they are spending in the fully developed United States, example some of the tallest buildings we see in the City of Los Angeles, and in Century City, are owned by the government of China.

      In my opinion, and as defined in simple English, ” The One China Principal” simple means the Government of China is demanding your’s and our people, our nations complete loyalty without wavering!

      They are suggesting, that Dominica’s diplomatic relations with other nations should be out of the door.

      They are demanding that when they suggest that we jump, we should ask them how high?

      That’s what this ” One China Principal means,” that’s what it’s all about.

      Demanding complete loyalty from you and our nation certainly deserves more. We should not allow the Chines to dictate what they will hand out to us, we must dictate what we want, what will serve the country better, and in the process provides sound employment for the youths of our country, thus the youths of our nation shall not be so eager to immigrate and in the process of migration drains our country of its most important and highly valuable natural resources, which are the people of the country.

      The gifts mentioned above are all well, and good.

      Nonetheless, for our complete loyalty, we should request a loan from China to invest in an International Airport, no one at this point can argue that an International Airport will not serve Dominica better than what we are getting from Melville Hall Airport at the moment.

      Can you imagine, that I mailed a letter to my sister in Wesley, two day’s after the general election in December, of 2009, however, that letter was not delivered to her until Thursday of last week.

      This letter seems to have taken three months to arrive in Dominica.

      I do not blame the delivery system at home, even if the existing system has been in effect prior to my birth, and even yours. It takes between three and five days to get a letter delivered anywhere in the continental United States, so, let us assume that within five days my letter got to the transshipment point to leave the United States, what should one assume caused the delay?

      Imagine New York, or Miami is the transshipment point, why should that letter take three months to get home. When under normal circumstances, a flight leaving New York, or Miami should take no longer than six (6) hours, and that’s assuming the flight is under taken in a modern Jet Aircraft.

      My answer to that is due to the lack of direct flights into and out of our country.

      If you are reading this, and you do not believe that the letter took as long as I indicated, talk to your cousin; Miss Wallace, she is the daughter of your aunt and is the Sub Post Master of our Village.

      My sister went to the post office in Wesley so many times enquiring about the letter, that when it arrived, she made it her business to inform my sister the letter had arrived.

      Secondly Mr. Prime Minister, consideration must be given to the once proposed oil refinery, perhaps the Chines who cravers complete loyalty from our nation may be interesting in investing in such a project, we cannot allow our people and country to be used, by others, while we end-up holding the short end of the stick.

      Complete loyalty works both ways, and so we too must develop our ” ‘ One Dominica’s People Principal. ‘ ”

      And let it be noted here I am not challenging you, my comments are simply personal, and my motives are none political!

      Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • john brown
      March 24, 2010

      I noticed that you skipped over the list of good things China is doing and will be doing for our country, Dominica and you only found something negative to say. Are you aware that all of America’s debt is held by the same Communist China? Don’t you know that when you walk in a store in the United States, practically every product on the shelves says made in China? America is a big trade partner with this same Communist China. Do you know that the same America that claims to be free and non Communist tortures people, wire tap it’s citizen’s phones, arrest people and keep them in prison for years before they can see a judge, allow it’s citizens in the face of disaster (hurricane Katrina) to go without federal help for days and people died from drowning & starvation?? Stop being so bias, if Communist China is good enough for freedom loving America, then it’s good for little Dominica. Wrong is wrong no matter who is doing it!! I don’t see none of the non-Communist countries helping or giving us anything!! If your party was in power, you would take all that China is giving and not say anthing. Viva China!!

    • hqq
      March 24, 2010

      Arnold, How much do you know about China?

      • Arnold
        March 26, 2010

        I know their history right down from the revolutions and the different dynasties they had. I also know how they became a communist nation, amongst other things.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available