Fruitful Cooperation between China and Dominica
Building the Friendship Bridge
China Today: Since 2004, economic and technological cooperation have been strengthened. What have been the major projects between the two nations?
David Xu: There have been a series of aid projects that China has contributed to Dominica, for which we are very grateful. As the biggest developing country with the fastest developing economy in the world, and a major country in the manufacturing industry, China has successively offered help to improve Dominica’s infrastructure: China’s involvement in many significant construction projects, such as the Road Rehabilitation, Coastal Highway and Coastal Bridge projects, holds significant meaning for Dominica’s economic development.
The Roseau-Portsmouth Road Rehabilitation Project has become known as a friendship milestone between China and Dominica. It runs from the capital city, Roseau, in the south to Dominica’s second largest city, Portsmouth, in the north. The road is 45 kilometers long and serves as the artery of the country. The project is one of the largest undertaken by China in the Caribbean region.
Constructing the Roseau Bridge, located at the estuary of the Roseau River, was a challenging task due to complicated geological conditions on the construction site. Chinese workers from the Electrification Engineering Co., Ltd. of China Railway 17th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. confronted the challenges and overcame difficulties, including fierce floods, to finish the whole project to a high standard and on time.
At the inaugural ceremony of the Roseau-Portsmouth road, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, on behalf of the Dominican government and people, expressed gratitude to China for its assistance. He said that the Chinese people had made a great contribution to Dominica’s development and that his people would never forget it.
Annually, over 80 Dominican students receive Chinese government scholarships for further education in Chinese universities. They major in various fields including international politics, business administration, tourism, finance and biology. Many of them are back home, making contributions to economic and social development of Dominica as well as friendship between Chinese and Dominican people.
In November 2013, the working panel of the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the PRC paid a visit to Dominica and signed a memorandum of understanding to send Chinese ophthalmologists to Dominica to carry out free cataract operations to help the sufferers see this beautiful world again.
In fact, a significant amount of medical assistance from China has been warmly welcomed in Dominica. China provides advanced facilities for the Sino-Dominica Friendship Hospital and China’s Ministry of Health sends a medical team of 20 members to Dominica annually to share their expertise.
On August 3, 2014 an expert panel on ophthalmology arrived in Dominica. This was the result of an agreement between China and Dominica concluded during President Xi’s state visit to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, where Xi met with Prime Minister Skerrit and reached an agreement on cooperation and exchange on the subject of people’s livelihood.
Direct Flights Expected within Two Years
China Today: The Commonwealth of Dominica is famous for its splendid scenery and was regarded as one of the 25 best tourist destinations in the world. What measures are expected to attract more foreign tourists to the country?
David Xu: Tourism is the pillar industry of Dominica, contributing revenues surpassing half of the GNP. In the future, China is planning to aid Dominica with another three projects – a commodity trading market, a hotel and an international airport – and the two countries expect to realize direct flights within two years, which will be the first direct flight route between Asia and Caribbean countries, making a great contribution to local tourism as well as benefiting Asian tourists.
We hope it will provide opportunities for people-to-people exchanges and create a bright future for China and Dominica.
