July 26, 2006 (Source: Xinhua)....The Caribbean countries attending the Consultation reiterated their firm commitment to the one-China policy and support for the efforts of the Chinese government and the people to realize national reunification, said a joint communique signed between China and ten Caribbean states.

The third round of Consultations between the Foreign Ministry of China and the ministries of foreign affairs of the Caribbean countries having diplomatic relations with China, including Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago were held here on Tuesday. China and the ten countries signed the joint communique after the consultations.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Marilyn T. Zonicle, undersecretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service of the Bahams co-chaired the consultations.

In the joint communique, China expressed appreciation of these countries' stance on the one-China policy and also reiterates its support for the Caribbean countries in their efforts to achieve regional integration, uphold democracy and promote development and progress.

The two sides agreed to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, encourage companies of their respective countries to increase contacts and expand cooperation within the framework of the China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, and create favorable conditions for trade and mutual investment, the joint communique said.

The Chinese side agreed to continue to provide assistance to the Caribbean countries having diplomatic relations with it, to the best of its ability, in order to contribute to the social and economic development of these countries, the joint communique said.

The two sides vow to strengthen cooperation in practical terms in culture, education, the media and tourism, encourage the exchange of visits by art troupes, and promote cooperation in human resources development.

The Chinese side will continue to provide scholarships to the Caribbean countries, increase the number of scholarships offered and encourage the Caribbean governments to send students to China, the joint communique said.

The two sides also reaffirmed the important role of the consultation mechanism in promoting bilateral cooperation in various fields, and agreed to strengthen political dialogue and consultations and cooperation in international affairs to uphold the rights and interest of the developing countries and promote world peace, security and development.

The two sides also agreed to hold the fourth round of consultations in the Bahamas in 2008, according to the joint commmunique.