by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
Hon. Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit stands firm behind his decision in establishing diplomatic ties with China. In a ceremony to commemorate the 6th anniversary of the establishment of ties on Tuesday, 23rd March, 2010, the Dominican Prime Minister re-affirmed his decision in supporting the one China policy.
 Hon. Prime Minister,
Roosevelt Skerrit
“I will say to you that this Government and of course the entire country has no regrets for taking that very bold but important decision in recognising the one China policy. I will say to you, Excellency Charge D’Affairs, that Dominica remains absolutely committed and unwavering in its commitment to recognising the one China policy.”
Hon. Skerrit said that the relationship with China has not only strengthened over the years but has brought significant benefits to Dominica including being able to furnish its own official translator should anyone from Dominica have to travel to China on official business.
“In respect to Dominica/China relations, we have seen it strengthened, deepened and broadened over the last six years. I will say that six years later, we have Dominica citizens whom the Prime Minister of Dominica and other Ministers of Government can take on official trips to China as our own official translators. No longer would we have to use other persons to provide that service for us because as part of the relationship we ensured that there was a transfer of technology, skills and of course, the learning of the Chinese language. We did so because we recognise that China has the fastest growing economy in the world and for Dominica, a small island state to position itself in a strategic manner, we would need to ensure that our students got educated in China but very importantly, to learn the Chinese language.”
On Tuesday evening, the Prime Minister pledged to continue to work with the Chinese Government to further strengthen and enhance the existing bonds of cooperation between the two countries. The Prime Minister also affirmed his commitment in seeking a peaceful re-unification of Taiwan with China.
“Dominica is not in the business of playing games with any relationship that Dominica has including with China. If we are your friend, we say we are your friend during the day and also in the night. We have no intentions to speak to you in the day and to speak to Taiwan which is a part of the territory of China in the night. We will do whatever we can as a small as Dominica may be towards the peaceful re-unification of the whole of China and we look forward to working with you in that regard.”
In the meantime, Charge D’Affairs of the Republic of Taiwan, Sun LiLiang, deputising for the Chinese Ambassador, Deng Boqing, describes the relationship between Dominica and China as bridge to new productive exchanges and cooperation.
 Charge D’Affairs of the
Republic of Taiwan,
Sun LiLiang
“The joint communiqué between China and Dominica signed right on this day, six years ago, built a new bridge of friendship and cooperation between our two great nations. Over the past years, thanks to the concerted effort of both sides, our two countries have had productive dialogue, exchanges and a cooperation and made new progress in the political, economic and trade, culture, educational, public health and other fields.”
The Charge D’Affairs said that through the Dominican Government, China will provide ten (10) more full scholarship opportunities adding to the existing seventy-nine (79) and more opportunities in career training in various fields.
The re-development of the Dominica State College, a new State House, the rehabilitation of major streets in Roseau and housing development are among major projects to be financed through a soft loan of US$40 million to be sourced from the Chinese Government. |
