China News Service, March 24. At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit paid an official visit to China from March 23 to 29.
2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Dominica. Over the past 20 years, relations between China and Dominica have developed steadily. Under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, the two sides have achieved fruitful results in cooperation in agriculture, medical and health, education, infrastructure, disaster prevention and reduction and other fields, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges have become increasingly close.
"Those who share common interests are not far apart from each other." Although Dominica, located in North America, is far away from China, as Dominic Prime Minister Skerrit said, China and Dominica are "true friends who share the same goals and respect each other."
Data map: View of Roseau, the capital of Dominica.
Dominican Republic
Located northeast of the Windward Islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea.
The country is mountainous,
The average annual temperature is 25 to 32 degrees Celsius.
It has a tropical maritime climate.
Dominica covers an area of 751 square kilometers.
The population in 2022 is 74,000,
The official language is English.
Beautiful tropical scenery makes this country
Known as the "natural island",
The tropical rainforest, hot springs, cold springs and waterfalls are unique.
File photo: Hikers on Dominica islands.
Dominic was originally from a South American Indian tribe.
A place where Arava guests and Caribbean people live.
In 1493, the navigator Columbus arrived in Dominica.
In the following hundreds of years, the country was occupied several times by Britain and France.
November 3, 1978
Dominica declares independence,
Now a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Resource-rich Dominica
It contains a large amount of pumice and its annual output can reach 100,000 tons.
The country also has geothermal and hydropower resources,
The forest covers an area of 360 square kilometers.
Agriculture is mainly focused on growing bananas, coconuts, citrus, mangoes, etc.
It mainly exports bananas and other agricultural products.
Data map: On October 18, 2018, a grand farewell ceremony was held in Port Roseau, the capital of Dominica. Local people sang and danced to express their gratitude to the Peace Ark. Photo by Squiggy
Beautiful clothing
It is one of the expressions of Dominica’s traditional culture.
Combining Scottish plaid and batik styles,
It shows Dominica’s unique traditional costume culture.
Dominican cuisine is dominated by Creole cooking style.
Locals also like to eat Chinese and other Western food.
March 23, 2004
China established diplomatic relations with Dominica,
Relations between the two countries have developed smoothly.
In 2018, China and the Dominican Republic signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on the “Belt and Road” initiative.
According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China,
In 2023, the trade volume between China and the Dominican Republic will be US$73.556 million.
Preferential loans provided by the Chinese government,
Shanghai Construction Engineering (Group) Corporation is responsible for the maintenance and expansion of
National University of Dominica with modern educational standards,
It was completely completed and handed over for use in July 2014.
completion of the project
To promote the development of higher education in Dominica
Play an important role.
Data map: On October 12, 2018, the Chinese Navy’s Peace Ark hospital ship arrived at Roseau Port for an eight-day goodwill visit to Dominica. Local students waved the national flags of Dominica and China to warmly welcome the first visit of the Chinese Navy’s Peace Ark hospital ship. Photo by Jiangshan
China Railway Fifth Engineering Bureau also undertook the construction of Dominica
The largest infrastructure project in history - Duoxin International Airport,
It is expected to be completed and put into use by the end of 2026.
Friendly people-to-people exchanges between China and the Dominican Republic have also continued to develop.
Since 2012, the Chinese team has become
During the annual Carnival parade
Most popular team.
May 2022, Confucius Classroom at the National University of Dominica
Officially unveiled,
September 2022, Dominica-China Friendship Association
Officially established.
Groups of international students and people from all walks of life
Go to China for further study, visits, and training,
Overseas Chinese in many countries
It also contributes to local economic and social development.
Data map: On October 6, 2023, the National University of Dominica held a graduation ceremony. Lin Xianjiang, Ambassador to Dominica, was invited to attend and together with Alfred, the Minister of Education of Dominica, awarded the "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship" to 10 outstanding graduates. Image source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
Dominica Prime Minister Skerrit said,
"Since the establishment of diplomatic relations,
The two countries have great achievements in infrastructure, medical and health,
Close cooperation in various fields such as agriculture and education,
Achieve fruitful results.
With China’s support and help,
Many economies and societies are developing steadily,
People benefit from practical cooperation projects.
Especially as Dominica gets caught up in Hurricane Maria
and the COVID-19 crisis,
China was the first to lend a helping hand,
For reconstruction and recovery after multiple disasters,
played a key role. "
Over the past 20 years,
The relations between China and the Dominican Republic have been developing steadily, deepening and becoming more solid.
This pair of like-minded true friends
Join hands to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for China and Latin America,
Benefit the people and make the friendship between the two countries last forever.