PM Roosevelt Skerrit talks to Chinese President, discusses bilateral ties

Prime Minister of Dominica Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit had a telephonic conversation with the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping regarding bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit stated that Dominica and China share a very close relationship and have always worked together to develop.

During his Anou Pale show on Sunday, the Dominican prime minister stated that the Caribbean country supports the "one China" policy.

He stated that he discussed several issues with the Chinese President during the telephonic conversation.

Prime Minister added that he also discussed the construction of the international airport of Dominica with the Chinese President. They also discussed the construction of a seaport, pandemic, and the vaccination of coronavirus.

The international airport of Dominica would be constructed with a large amount of assistance from China. Construction of Dominica's international airport is highly anticipated, and the construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021.

China and Dominica share good bilateral ties as the People's Republic of China have always assisted the small Caribbean island in a number of infrastructural projects, including the most famous Dominica-China friendship hospital, which was inaugurated in October 2019.

The hospital is equipped with modern facilities, including dialysis units, and other mandatory requirements are fulfilled.

Prime Minister Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit states that the Dominica-China friendship hospital has strengthened the health structure of the country so that all Dominicans can access modern medical treatments at home.

China has also established an embassy in Dominica to ease the process of the visit.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit had noted during a webinar of the Guardian Nigeria that Dominica is also working with China to get visa-free access for Dominicans; he mentioned that the access could be expected by the end of 2021.

Many Dominican students are also obtaining education from the People's Republic of China, and several of them are studying on scholarships.