Wang Yi calls for cooperation, exchanges to consolidate China-Jamaica friendship

China looks forward to strengthening the alignment of development strategies with Jamaica, expanding cooperation in various fields, and maintaining close people-to-people and cultural exchanges to consolidate the public opinion foundation for China-Jamaica friendship, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remark while meeting with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness in Kingston.

Holness hailed China for supporting Jamaica's economic development and improving people's livelihood.

Jamaica will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China policy, prioritize bilateral relations, and strive to build a strong Jamaica-China strategic partnership, he said.

China appreciates Jamaica for firmly pursuing friendly policies towards China, adhering to the one-China principle, and supporting China in safeguarding its core interests, Wang said.

Noting that China advocates equality for all countries, large and small, Wang said China respects Jamaica in choosing a system with its own characteristics and supporting the country in safeguarding sovereignty, independence and national dignity.

Commending the fruitful results yielded under the Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries, Wang called for expanding cooperation in areas such as economic and trade investment, new energy, agriculture, digital economy and blue economy.

Holness said Jamaica looks forward to learning from China's successful experience to achieve more efficient and equitable development.

He expressed his belief that China will continue to play a leading role in addressing global challenges, calling for continued support from China on issues such as enhancing the resilience of small island countries to climate change.

Both sides also exchanged views on deepening China-Caribbean cooperation.

On Saturday, Wang also held talks with Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith.

Wang noted that Jamaica is one of the first Caribbean countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and the first Caribbean country to establish a strategic partnership with it.

He said China adheres to the path of peaceful development, practices true multilateralism, promotes political settlement of hot-spot issues, and is the major country with the best peace and security record.

Noting the shortage of fairness and justice in the world, Wang said China will always stand on the side of fairness and justice and on the side of developing countries, especially small and medium-sized countries.

The Jamaican foreign minister said her country highly appreciates China's role as a major country, supports and will actively participate in the global initiatives proposed by China, and is willing to help promote relations between Caribbean countries and China.

(Cover: Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness meets with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Kingston, Jamaica, January 20, 2024. /Xinhua)