China-Caribbean economic summit to discuss ‘new opportunities’

According to Chinese state media Xinhua, the September 12-14 ministerial meeting in Hainan, China, will concentrate minds on emerging sectors such as the green economy and digital technologies. However, the forum will continue to explore fruitful cooperation in trade, investment, human resources and health care.

Lin Feng from the Chinese commerce ministry told a recent press conference that China is keen to assist Caribbean countries develop a better understanding of its trade policies.

Delegations from 11 Caribbean countries will attend the meeting, as will the secretariat of the Caribbean Community, Xinhua is reporting, while adding that a delegation from the government of Haiti will participate as an observer.

Since establishing the China-Caribbean Economic Forum in 2004, the Asian giant has been increasing its investment in Latin America and Caribbean.

According to the United States-based Foreign Affairs Committee, China has invested more than US$10 billion in mainly six Caribbean countries in the sectors of tourism, transportation, mining, agriculture, and energy.