China is ready to deepen pragmatic cooperation with Antigua and Barbuda, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday during a meeting with Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne in Beijing.

Browne is on an official visit to China from January 22 to 28.

China is willing to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, infrastructure construction, climate change, new energy and healthcare under the framework of the eight steps supporting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Xi told Browne.

Xi said China attaches importance on the concerns on climate change of small island developing countries.

China will offer help for Antigua and Barbuda to host the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, he added.

Xi also pledged help for the economic and social development of regional countries to promote ties between China and Caribbean countries.

The Chinese president called for more people-to-people exchanges between the two sides, and welcomed more youths from Antigua and Barbuda to study in China.

For his part, Browne vowed support for the one-China principle, saying that Taiwan is a province of China.

Antigua and Barbuda was lifted out of poverty thanks to help from China, he said, adding that his country is willing to be China's most reliable partner.

Browne also lauded Chinese modernization, pointing out that China's success proves that the path and system it chooses are successful.

"l hope to promote the bilateral ties to a new stage and achieve more cooperation results through this visit," Browne said.

(Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping hold talks with Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne in Beijing, China, January 24, 2023. /CMG)