Foreign and Military Affairs

China, Jamaica pledge to deepen cooperation

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-04 22:46

BEIJING: China and Jamaica agreed on Thursday to explore new ways and areas of cooperation to boost bilateral ties.

Chinese President Hu Jintao told visiting Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding that China would like to enhance political dialogues with Jamaica, strengthen mutual understanding and substantial cooperation, and jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries.

Calling Jamaica one of China's most important trading partners in the Caribbean region, Hu said the two countries had made remarkable achievements in boosting exchanges and cooperation in various areas over the past 38 years of diplomatic ties.

He called on joint efforts to implement cooperation projects the two sides had agreed, and explore new ways and fields to deepen cooperation.

Golding told Hu that his government and people highly value relations with China. The Jamaican government always sticks to the one-China policy and respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He appreciated China's aid to Jamaica over the years, especially at the time of global financial crisis. He called for enhanced bilateral cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, mining and culture.

Golding is on a five-day China tour as guest of Premier Wen Jiabao. Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping is scheduled to meet with him later on Thursday.

China's trade volume with Jamaica amounted to 219 million US dollars in 2009, with import increasing by 280 percent as compared with the previous year.