Saint George’s, Grenada: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell took part in bilateral talks on Monday, 13th January 2025 looking for strengthening the relations between the two countries crossing over 2 decades and more chances of collaborations on various platforms.
PM Mitchell is the first invited foreign guest to land in Beijing in 2025 having arrived on 11th January for a 7 days official visit. He is also expected to go to Zhenjiang province and Shanghai during this time. Grenada located in the Caribbean Islands have after a break resumed bilateral relations with China from 2005. In the recent 2 decades following the break, the two nations have developed cordial relations gaining both political mutual trust and reaping the fruitful results in areas of trade and the economy, as well in the fields of education and agriculture.
In 2018, the two countries highest ranking ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the construction of the Belt and Roads initiative. According to stats of Chinese customs, the bilateral trade in 2023 exceeded $24 million translating to 13.1 percent year on year.
Statement of Xi Jinping regarding China’s participation in development of Grenada
In relation to China supporting Grenada in further development and improve bilateral cooperation, President Xi Jinping stated, “As China’s development brings new development opportunities to Grenada and other countries, the China will work to provide assistance for the island country socioeconomic development within the South South cooperation framework and foster new highlights of bilateral cooperation in new energy, low carbon, the digital economy and other fields.”
Adding to this, the Chinese supremo said “China supports Grenada in improving its capabilities in climate change response and disaster management and prevention and will continue to raise international awareness of small island countries’ (SIDS) concerns over climate change and their demands.”
He also urged the two sides to strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation in various fields like education and tourism to promote mutual understanding between the citizens of the two nations. In response,
PM Dickon Mitchell replied, “Grenada firmly adheres to one-China principle, and China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.” He also added that China is the leader of the Global South, saying “China always holds equality among all countries regardless of the size, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and acts on its commitments on global affairs.”
PM Dickon Mitchell gives condolences to victim’s families affected by Earthquake
The Grenadian Prime Minister extended sincere condolences to the Chinese government and people affected by the recent earthquake in Dingri county located in Xizang province. As the natural calamity took place in a high altitude region, Chinese president Xi Jinping speaking on the restoration work and disaster management teams progress, said, “China has completed rescue and temporary resettlement work in a very short period of time also keeping up the reconstruction work. The administration is very confident and capable of achieving victory in providing earthquake relief.”