Barbados–China relations

Diplomatic relations between Barbados and the People's Republic of China were established on 30 May 1977.[1] China began providing Barbados with diplomatic aide with the construction of the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium (1986), and other projects such as: construction assistance for the Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Conference and Cultural Centre (1994), and renovating Bridgetown's Cheapside Market building (2005). In 2005, China exported US$19.19 million worth of goods, while importing only $211,000 from Barbados.[1]

Sino-Barbados relations

Barbados
China

The current Chinese Ambassador to Barbados is Yan Xiusheng, who heads the embassy in Christ Church, Barbados. Hong replaced the former Ambassador Wei Qiang[2] in 2012. The current Barbadian Ambassador to Beijing, China is the country's former Prime Minister Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford.[3]

In 2004 Barbados obtained Approved Destination Status by the government in China.[4][5][6] Barbados and China are members of the United Nations, the Group of 77, the Caribbean Development Bank, and the Belt and Road Initiative.

History

Following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, the Barbadian prime minister visited the Chinese Embassy to personally sign the book of condolence to the nation.[7]

The Wildey Gymnasium in Barbados which was built in 1992 with assistance of the P.R.C.

Over the years a number of building projects have been carried out with Chinese government assistance these include: The Wildey Gymnasium,[8] two adjustments on the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Conference And Cultural Centre, a Home Vegetable Growing Experimental Center, embroidery, grass weaving and feather handicraft. A consideration was also giving according to the Prime Minister of Barbados, David Thompson for China to assist with the opening of a new cruise ship facility in Barbados.[9]

Chinese Premier Wen said that China would like to join hands with Barbados in deepening cooperation in the areas of trade, tourism, architecture, and cultural exchange.

In 2014 both governments signed a visa waiver agreement for nationals from both nations., , Later in 2014 there was also an agreement signed in Barbados to establish a branch of the Confucius Institute at the University of the West Indies., , , ,

In February 2019 Barbados expanded cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative. He Lifeng, chairman of the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and Jerome Walcott, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade of Barbados, held talks in Beijing, and the two sides exchanged views on jointly building Belt and Road cooperation between China and Barbados. Later that year China's resident Ambassador to Barbados, announced 11 graduate students would be sponsored to study in China. The recent figure brings to a total of over 90 Barbadians who have taken part in the studying in China programme. Other goals outlined in 2019 included China building providing technical assistance and funding for building a laboratory to ensure accreditation and address the sanitary and phytosanitary rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Trade

China's export volume to Barbados in 1999 reached US$2,035,000, while imports from Barbados were at US$13,000.

Both nations have additionally signed bilateral agreements including a Double taxation agreement and a Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments treaty.

The Chinese government remains one of the main stakeholders in the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), which lends to the various territories throughout the Caribbean region.[10][11]

In 2004 Chinese interests expanded into Barbados' construction industry. Two notable firms include China Construction Barbados Co. Ltd.[12] and ChinaDOS Construction Limited. (A mixture of the name China and Barbados), Which has performed a number of construction projects in Barbados.[13]

In August 2008 the Barbados-based Caribbean Export and Chinese officials signed a deal to increase the export capacity in the region to the Chinese market.[14]

Barbados was the first nation of 2019 to sign on the China's Belt and Road Cooperative initiative.[15][16] Later the same year the Association for Barbados-China Friendship (ABCF) was formed in Barbados[17]

Joint military cooperation

In October 2006 the Barbadian government found itself sanctioned by U.S. President George W. Bush for not signing an Article 98 Agreements with the United States military to exempt U.S. personnel from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Following the sanctions on Barbados and several other Caribbean nations by the United States the Chinese Government provided Barbados with the financial assistance in-lieu of the situation.[18]

In 2009 the military units of both countries have agreed to strengthen their military cooperation.[19][20]

In December 2016 both nations formed a military cooperation agreement. The Chinese government presented Barbados with $3 million worth of military agreement which had been the largest gift to the Barbados military to date.[21]

Missions
  • China has an embassy in Rockley, Christ Church, Barbados, which is headed by the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Barbados, Mr. Qiang Wei.
  • Barbados appointed its former Prime Minister Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford as its first resident Ambassador to China. In July 2011 Barbados opened its embassy in Chaoyang District, Beijing.[22]
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See also

References
  1. Ambassador (30 May 2008). "Summary of China-Barbados Bilateral Relations". Bridgetown, Barbados: Embassy of the People's Republic of China: Barbados. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  2. "Chinese embassy to Barbados". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  3. "Chinese president accepts credentials from five new ambassadors". Xinhua News Agency. 3 March 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  4. "List of Chinese countries with ADS status". China Travel Trends. 6 August 2009. Archived from the original on 3 January 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2012. (list)
  5. Caribbean Journal staff (17 December 2011). "What China Means for Caribbean Tourism". Caribbean Journal. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  6. N., A. (1 June 2012). "Chinese tourism remains a goal". Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  7. Prime Minister David Thompson signed condolence book, 21 May 2008
  8. Staff writer (15 September 2005). "Wildey Gym Spruce-up". Nation Newspaper. Ministry of Commerce of P.R. China. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2009. [ . . . ] The lighting will be improved,and the air-conditioning should be better now," Walrond said. He noted that the experienced technical team from the People’s Republic of China would be working with China State Construction who built the gym,as well as with about 30 Barbadians. [ . . . ]
  9. "Barbados to open embassy in China". Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
  10. Caribbean Development Bank (CDB): Non-Regional Members Archived 30 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  11. Staff writers (17 February 2009). "Closer cooperation likely between China and Barbados". CaribbeanNetNews.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2009.
  12. "China State Construction Engineering Corporation's organizations". Archived from the original on 15 July 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  13. Registered company search Archived 2 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine – By the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office in Barbados
  14. B, J (5 August 2009). "Chinese agreement to be signed with Caribbean Export". The Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  15. Diplomat stresses efforts to bring China-Barbados cooperation to new stage
  16. Reigniting the Barbados China Connection
  17. Association for Barbados-China Friendship (ABCF)
  18. Best, Tony (24 October 2008). "US calls off Barbados ban". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2008.
  19. Chinese and BDF working together Archived 26 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  20. Chinese aid for BDF
  21. Barbados Receives Largest Military Donation from Chinese, By Kiersten Willis, 23 December 2016
  22. R., S. (7 December 2009). "Sir Lloyd in meetings about China posting". Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
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