In what has been described as a “significant milestone” in international relations between Dominica and China, the two countries have strengthened their ties through the twinning of the St. Joseph constituency with Rencheng in China’s Shandong Province. The partnership was celebrated in a ceremony on Sunday, November 19th, reflecting the power of cross-cultural collaboration and the global village concept.
According to a release from the Office of The Prime Minister, unity vision was echoed by all attendees, including Honorable Gretta Roberts, Minister of Culture, Youth Sports, and Community Development, who represented the St. Joseph constituency on behalf of the parliamentary representative Honorable Darron Lloyd.
The newly formed relationship is expected to bring substantial benefits to the people of St. Joseph, including cultural exchange, economic cooperation, and shared knowledge in community development.
Four days earlier, Parliamentary Representative of Roseau Central constituency, Melissa Poponne-Skerrit announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed between Roseau, the Commonwealth of Dominica, and Yiwu, the People’s Republic of China.
According to Poponne-Skerrit, this MoU, which came into effect on November 15, 2023, signifies the twinning of the two cities and aims to strengthen their bonds and promote mutual prosperity and development.
The agreement commits both parties to establish friendly cooperation based on mutual trust and friendship. It outlines areas for practical and diversified cooperation and exchanges, including economy & trade, education, culture, tourism, and sports.
The Roseau Central Parliamentary Representative, expressed excitement about the benefits and opportunities this agreement will bring to Roseau. These include new business partnerships and investment opportunities, enhanced learning experiences for students through the exchange of knowledge and expertise in education, and promotion of their rich heritage and attractions through cultural and tourism exchanges.
Poponne-Skerrit expressed gratitude to the Mayor of Yiwu, Mr. Ye Bangrui, and the People’s Republic of China for accepting the request to twin Roseau with Yiwu. It reiterates that this MoU marks the beginning of a new chapter of cooperation and friendship between Roseau and Yiwu, and is expected to bring long-term benefits to the constituents of Roseau and the people of Dominica.
As part of the ongoing twinning of cities agenda, another Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the city of Roseau and Jining City in the Shandong province of China. The MOU, signed by Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, who is also the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, focuses on the development of smart cities, modern agriculture and agriculture technologies, and trade.
This MOU is set to greatly benefit Roseau, leading to the creation of more efficient urban infrastructure, increased agricultural output, improved quality of life for residents, and contributing to the city’s advancement and growth. Skerrit will also work closely with the Small Business Unit to bring more local Agro processors’ products up to international standards, having successfully found a market in Shandong for the export and exposure of Dominican products.
The MOU, signed on November 8th by Hon. Poponne-Skerrit and Vice Governor of Shandong Province, Mr Chen Ping, took immediate effect. This marked a significant milestone for both countries, once again highlighting the importance of partnership and collaboration for the benefit of their respective cities.
Why is this MOU so easy to view when is not the one we really need to see but the one with the mother country?
All the chest beating? There’s nothing new here. It’s no different from giving or receiving “keys to a city”, a pledge of friendly relations, like honorary doctorate. Not even reciprocal. Metro area population alone of Yiwu is 1.5 mil, they too need help, what can St.Jo, less than a thousand people, no industry contribute to wellbeing of Yiwu but a few gwen fig from the Morne, so why the chest beating?
Go ahead and continue twinning. Two down 19 more constituencies to go. Then, we can truly say that China is our master. One day Dominica, I tell you one day.
why they don’t go twin there MC
How about twining Dominica with China. let’s start with a one Dominica policy under Chairman and communist leader Roosevelt Skerrit. let’s make a one party state where there is no opposition and where police are more interested in surveillance of opposition on Q95. They already start walking around taking photos of demonstrators like the intimidation tactics employed in China. let’s get rid of our parliamentary system and establish the Chinese communist party system. wait the infiltration of village council and one man selection of Parl reps has already started. let’s also build huge monuments in the name of our great emperor met volier Roosevelt skerrit. we build the great wall of ville case and the greater wall of morne daniel. let’s ditch elections and just wait until the thief appoint his son. when you give a monkey a gun bad things happen and it seems some high class as…..ets decide on thier own to impose China on Dominicans. one day Roseau river will turn red from revolt.
Given the “twinning” is the flavour of the month (first Roseau and now St Joseph) I am trying to find a small forgotten village in China willing to twin with Antrim.
I can offer an exhibition of my paintings and sculptures in the series “Daughters of the Caribbean Sun” in cultural exchange.
what nonsense is that nuh. we have all that already with china
I have to give it to the Chinese and the Roosevelt-led scandal plagued regime. Both are exceptionally phenomenal at staging photo-op to manipulate the minds of the credulous.
With their impeccable attire, impressive pomp and ceremony, they dupe the unsuspecting into thinking that heaven is descending on Dominica. After this momentous occasion, hunger will still remain an everyday reality of many thousands of native Dominicans.
How come the govt doesn’t want to show the public the Mou signed with China in 2004? What are they trying to hide?