On May 6, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with David Thompson, prime minister of Barbados, at the Great Hall of the People.
Wen said since the establishment of diplomatic ties 31 years ago, the two countries have kept frequent high-level contacts and maintained sound cooperation in the United Nations and other international organizations. China and Barbados had conducted fruitful cooperation in the areas of trade, technology, and personnel training. "Both China and Barbados are developing nations and enjoy common interests," Wen said. He vowed to work with Barbados to keep closer exchanges at all levels, build mutual understanding and trust, expand cooperation on economy, trade, tourism, architecture and sustainable development and promote humanities exchanges to push bilateral ties for greater development.
Wen said China supports the Caribbean integration process. "China will strengthen dialogue with the Caribbean community based on mutual respect, reciprocity and equality and share experience with it on reform and development, so as to promote south-south cooperation and achieve common prosperity," said Wen.
Hailing the sound development of bilateral ties, Thompson expressed gratitude for China's support and assistance to his country's economic and social development. He said Barbados deems China its great friend and close partner and attaches importance to strengthening traditional friendship with China. Barbados would continue adherence to the one-China policy and expand cooperation with China on economy, trade, investment, infrastructure and human resources. He added that his country supported Beijing's hosting of the Olympic Games and would actively attend the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.
Thompson said Barbados is ready to make positive contributions to promoting relations between China and the Caribbean community and supports China's participation in the Inter-American Development Bank.
Following the talks, the two prime ministers attended the signing ceremony of a couple of bilateral cooperation documents including the agreement on economic and technological cooperation between the two governments.
Prior to the talks, Wen Jiabao held a welcoming ceremony for Thompson's visit at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of China Democratic National Construction Association Zhang Shaoqin, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Chinese Ambassador to Barbados Liu Huanxing and other officials attended the welcoming ceremony.
