Premier urges stronger ties with Jamaica

Li says greater synergy between China, Caribbean nation benefits both peoples

Premier Li Keqiang on Friday called for greater synergy between the development strategies of China and Jamaica to enable richer outcomes from bilateral relations and more benefits for the two peoples.

In talks with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness in Beijing, Li said Jamaica is an important cooperative partner in the Caribbean, and there is great potential and broad prospects for bilateral cooperation.

The two countries promoted their relations to a strategic partnership during Holness' meeting with President Xi Jinping in Shanghai on Monday. Holness attended the opening ceremony of the second China International Import Expo on Tuesday.

China will continue to support its businesses to conduct cooperation in infrastructure, tourism, agricultural and aquatic sectors under market principles and commercial rules with Jamaica to enable more win-win outcomes, the premier said.

China stands ready to import more high-quality Jamaican products that meet Chinese market demand, he added.

In his opening remarks, the premier also recalled how the dazzling performance of Olympic sprinting legend Usain Bolt impressed the Chinese people during the 2008 Beijing Games, and he called for further bilateral cooperation in tourism, education, sports and human resources training.

Li urged further bilateral cooperation in coping with climate change and continuing to implement the Paris Agreement.

Witnessed by the two leaders, the two countries signed cooperation documents including a plan on jointly building the Belt and Road, and memorandums of understanding on human resources development and cooperation in sports.

Before the talks, Li held a welcoming ceremony for Holness.

Holness said Jamaica, as the first Caribbean country to have established diplomatic relations with China, is seeing robust relations with China.

"Today, our relationship is strong, underpinned by a philosophy of mutual respect and shared prosperity," he said.

Holness, who has just visited Shenzhen and Zhuhai in Guangdong province, said he was amazed by China's development achievements.

He said Jamaica is willing to actively take part in Belt and Road development and boost bilateral cooperation in areas including trade, investment, infrastructure, health, education and tourism.

He echoed Li in saying that bilateral coordination and communication over international affairs, including coping with climate change, must be bolstered.

Zhao Bentang, director-general of the department of Latin American and Caribbean affairs at the Foreign Ministry, said the signing of the cooperation plan on Belt and Road cooperation will provide a strong impetus for more bilateral cooperation.

"The elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership also indicated the willingness from both sides to further cooperation," Zhao said at a news briefing.