China, Trinidad and Tobago to ease visa process

World
Europe

00:51

The visa process for travel between China and Trinidad and Tobago is expected to get easier, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said after a meeting with the island nation's prime minister.

Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Keith Rowley is in China for a six-day official visit. The two countries are expected to discuss topics including education, culture, sports, and tourism.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Keith Rowley attend the welcome ceremony in Beijing, China, May 14, 2018. /Photo credit gov.cn

Back in 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to the country. Since then, the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has made steady progress. Last year alone, trade volume between the two developing countries reached more than 600 million US dollars.

Trinidad and Tobago is China's largest trading partner in the English-speaking Caribbean islands. Prime Minister Rowley said the country is willing to enhance pragmatic cooperation under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, as well as medical, financial and other key sectors to push the bilateral ties to a new level.

"This country's investment environment is one of the best, the top in this region. So for the Chinese multinational companies, they can use this country somehow as a foothold, and have their headquarters in the [Trinidad and Tobago] and then you can spread your investment and your business operation to other countries in this region," said Xu Qinduo, Senior Fellow with Pangoal Institution.

02:10

Premier Li and Prime Minister Rowley also witnessed the signing of bills in areas including technology, medical and health services, and human resources.

Next year marks the 45th anniversary since China established diplomatic relations with Trinidad and Tobago.

Concerns over China's investments

A 2014 report by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission said that “Beijing likely views the Caribbean as strategically important by virtue of its proximity to the United States and major maritime trade routes and infrastructure, such as the Panama Canal and the region’s many ports.”

Some concerns are cropping up about China’s increasing influence in the region, saying China’s investments are “detrimental to the independence of the region." But some experts hold different opinions.

"If you look at the country's foreign policy in this region, it's mostly about trade and investment. It's mutually beneficial, but China does want to help countries like T and T to improve – for example to diversify its exports to China," Xu commented.

(CGTN's Li Jianhua also contributed to the story.)

1km