China to work with Caribbean countries to cope with global downturn

China would cooperate with the Caribbean countries including Grenada to deal with the global downturn and achieve common prosperity, Premier Wen Jiabao said Wednesday.


Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) shakes hands with Grenadian Prime Minister Tillman Thomas during a welcoming ceremony Wen Jiabao holds for Tillman Thomas in Beijing, capital of China, on June 17, 2009. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
During talks with Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, Wen said China attached importance to relations with the Caribbean countries from a strategic perspective.

He said Sino-Grenada relations had developed smoothly since they resumed four years ago.

"Facts show a healthy, stable, and developing relationship is in the interests of the two countries and peoples," said Wen.


Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (1st L) holds a welcoming ceremony for Grenadian Prime Minister Tillman Thomas in Beijing, capital of China, on June 17, 2009. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
He expressed willingness to promote personnel exchanges and cooperation on trade, tourism and agriculture with Grenada, vowing to work together to safeguard the rights of developing countries on issues of climate change and sustainable development.

Thomas said Grenada valued relations with China and hoped to expand cooperation in economic, agricultural, tourism and cultural areas. He also praised China's role in the Caribbean region.

He reaffirmed Grenada would adhere to the one-China policy.

China and Grenada established diplomatic relations in 1985 and severed ties in 1989 over the Taiwan issue. Relations resumed in 2005.

Source: Xinhua