Barbados – People's Republic of China relations
Encyclopedia
Barbados
and the People's Republic of China
established official diplomatic relations May 30, 1977. Barbados-Sino diplomatic and economic relations have grown steadily over three decades. Presently Barbados has obtained Approved Destination Status by the government in China.
Just following election in January, 2008 Barbadian Prime Minister David Thompson
visited China from May 5 to 9. During this time both delegations signed agreements pledging to cooperate more intently. The Barbadian leader also indicated that Barbados would take part in Expo 2010
to be held in Shanghai
, China. This visit was reciprocated by Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu visiting Barbados in February, 2009. A number of infrastructural building projects in Barbados are being carried out with Chinese assistance. These are: The St. John Polyclinic, The Sherbourne Conference Centre
and the Empire Theatre complex. Also the Cheapside Market Renovation Project is in preparation stage.
David Thompson has stated that Barbados can increasingly make use of Chinese technology, acquire military equipment and uniforms and also receive training from China. He also touched on the tourism and cultural opportunities that exist between the two countries and urged that Barbadians should consider learning Mandarin Chinese. The possibility of opening a unit of the Confucius Institute
at the Cave Hill Campus was another topic outlined for future planning. Former Barbadian Prime Minister Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford, is slated to become Barbados' first direct Ambassador in the near future.
, the Barbadian prime minister visited the Chinese Embassy to personally sign the book of condolence to the nation.
Over the years a number of building projects have been carried out with Chinese government assistance these include: The Wildey Gymnasium
, 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.
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.
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 stake holders in the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank
(CDB), which lends to the various territories through-out the Caribbean
region.
In 2004 Chinese interests expanded into Barbados' construction industry. Two notable firms include China Construction Barbados Co. Ltd.
and ChinaDOS Construction Limited. (A mixture of the name China and Barbados), Which has performed a number of construction projects in Barbados.
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.
(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.
In 2009 the military units of both countries have agreed to strengthen their military cooperation.
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
and the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
established official diplomatic relations May 30, 1977. Barbados-Sino diplomatic and economic relations have grown steadily over three decades. Presently Barbados has obtained Approved Destination Status by the government in China.
Just following election in January, 2008 Barbadian Prime Minister David Thompson
David Thompson (Barbadian politician)
David John Howard Thompson, QC, MP was the sixth Prime Minister of Barbados from January 2008 until his death from pancreatic cancer on 23 October 2010....
visited China from May 5 to 9. During this time both delegations signed agreements pledging to cooperate more intently. The Barbadian leader also indicated that Barbados would take part in Expo 2010
Expo 2010
Expo 2010, officially Expo 2010 Shanghai China was held on both banks of the Huangpu River in the city of Shanghai, China, from May 1 to October 31, 2010. It was a major World Expo in the tradition of international fairs and expositions, the first since 1992...
to be held in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China. This visit was reciprocated by Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu visiting Barbados in February, 2009. A number of infrastructural building projects in Barbados are being carried out with Chinese assistance. These are: The St. John Polyclinic, The Sherbourne Conference Centre
Sherbourne Conference Centre
The Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Conference And Cultural Centre , is a conference centre facility found on the Caribbean island of Barbados...
and the Empire Theatre complex. Also the Cheapside Market Renovation Project is in preparation stage.
David Thompson has stated that Barbados can increasingly make use of Chinese technology, acquire military equipment and uniforms and also receive training from China. He also touched on the tourism and cultural opportunities that exist between the two countries and urged that Barbadians should consider learning Mandarin Chinese. The possibility of opening a unit of the Confucius Institute
Confucius Institute
Confucius Institutes are non-profit public institutions that aim to promote Chinese language and culture, support local Chinese teaching internationally, as well as facilitating cultural exchanges. They are sometimes compared to language and culture promotion organizations such as France's...
at the Cave Hill Campus was another topic outlined for future planning. Former Barbadian Prime Minister Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford, is slated to become Barbados' first direct Ambassador in the near future.
History
Following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake2008 Sichuan earthquake
The 2008 Sichuan earthquake or the Great Sichuan Earthquake was a deadly earthquake that measured at 8.0 Msand 7.9 Mw occurred at 14:28:01 CST...
, the Barbadian prime minister visited the Chinese Embassy to personally sign the book of condolence to the nation.
Over the years a number of building projects have been carried out with Chinese government assistance these include: The Wildey Gymnasium
Wildey Gymnasium
The Garfield Sobers Gymnasium is one of the main government-owned indoor sporting facilities located in the country of Barbados. Able to accommodate close to 5 000 people, it is situated northeast of the ABC Highway in the Sir Gary Sobers Sports Complex...
, 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.
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.
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
Tax treaty
Many countries have agreed with other countries in treaties to mitigate the effects of double taxation . Tax treaties may cover income taxes, inheritance taxes, value added taxes, or other taxes...
and a Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments treaty.
The Chinese government remains one of the main stake holders in the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank
Caribbean Development Bank
The Caribbean Development Bank is a financial institution which assists Caribbean nations in financing social and economic programs in its member countries...
(CDB), which lends to the various territories through-out the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
region.
In 2004 Chinese interests expanded into Barbados' construction industry. Two notable firms include China Construction Barbados Co. Ltd.
China State Construction Engineering Corp
The China State Construction Engineering Corporation is the largest construction company and the largest international general contractor in the People's Republic of China.-History:The CSCEC in 1982 as a state company...
and ChinaDOS Construction Limited. (A mixture of the name China and Barbados), Which has performed a number of construction projects in Barbados.
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.
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 CourtInternational Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court is a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression .It came into being on 1 July 2002—the date its founding treaty, the Rome Statute of the...
(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.
In 2009 the military units of both countries have agreed to strengthen their military cooperation.
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 has appointed its former Prime Minister Sir Lloyd Erskine SandifordLloyd Erskine SandifordSir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford, KA is a Barbadian politician. He served as the fourth Prime Minister of Barbados from 1987 to 1994....
as its first Ambassador to China and is planning to open an Embassy in BeijingBeijingBeijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
sometime by the end of 2009.
See also
- Foreign relations of ChinaForeign relations of ChinaForeign relations of China may refer to:* Foreign relations of Imperial China* Foreign relations of the People's Republic of China, official name of government in control of mainland China...
- Foreign relations of BarbadosForeign relations of BarbadosThis article deals with the diplomatic affairs, foreign policy and international relations of Barbados.At the political level, these matters are officially handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which answers to the Prime Minister. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, since November 2008 is:...
- Caribbean–People's Republic of China relations
External links
- Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Barbados
- IMPROVED BARBADOS - CHINA RELATIONS (13 February 2009) - Barbados' Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Cultural treat from China Friday, October 16, 2009, Barbados Advocate