China President Xi Jingping to visit CARICOM region hot on the heals of U.S. VP Biden’s visit – reflecting region’s growing importance

China’s new president Xi Jingping arrives in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, for a three-day visit during which time he will meet with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders.

The Chinese president’s visit is hot on the heels of United States Vice President Joe Biden who has just concluded his visit to the region.

Biden described his discussions with CARICOM leaders as “frank and cordial” and pledged Washington’s assistance on a wide range of issues affecting the socio-economic development of the of the 15-member regional grouping.

According to a Chinese Embassy statement Xi’s visit is to “further increase political trust and consolidate friendship and cooperation with the entire region”.

Beijing said that President Xi’s visit, the first to the Caribbean “is a very important event for the host country and its other English-speaking CARICOM member-states, all of which are dwarfed in size, population and economy by their comparatively colossal Latin American neighbors”.

The Chinese president will meet with at least eight CARICOM leaders whose countries continue to have diplomatic relations with Beijing, instead of Taiwan, that China regards as a renegade province and has been urging countries to accept the “One China” policy in their foreign relations.

China said that it hopes through the bilateral meetings it is hoping to promote cooperation in various areas and inject new vitality to the friendship between the countries. -(CMC)