Chinese Premier Li Qiang (left) meets Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne during a welcoming ceremony in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Jan 24, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne in Beijing on Wednesday.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 41 years ago, China and Antigua and Barbuda have always respected and supported each other, Li said.

China stands ready to work with Antigua and Barbuda to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, consolidate and carry forward the traditional friendship, continuously deepen strategic mutual trust, and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields to benefit the two countries and two peoples, the Chinese premier said.

Noting that both countries are developing countries, Li said China stands ready to work with Antigua and Barbuda to advance high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthen cooperation on agriculture and infrastructure, and tap further into the potential of cooperation on the green, blue and digital economies to foster new driving forces for economic development.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said that China, within its capacity, is ready to provide assistance to Antigua and Barbuda in addressing climate change under the framework of South-South cooperation, and to continue strengthening multilateral coordination and cooperation to build a community with a shared future for humanity

The two sides should strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation in the fields of tourism, civil aviation, medical and health care and human resources, Li said. 

He noted that China, within its capacity, is ready to provide assistance to Antigua and Barbuda in addressing climate change under the framework of South-South cooperation, and to continue strengthening multilateral coordination and cooperation to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

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Browne said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Antigua and Barbuda and China, bilateral relations have maintained strong development momentum. 

He expressed his appreciation of China's strong support for the economic and social development of Antigua and Barbuda over the years, and his support for important initiatives such as the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

Antigua and Barbuda abides by the one-China principle, believes that Taiwan is a province of China, and firmly supports China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Browne said. 

He noted that Antigua and Barbuda stands ready to promote cooperation between the Caribbean Community and China, promote the reform of the global economic governance system, elevate bilateral relations to a new level, work with China to cope with climate change, and strengthen cooperation with China on agriculture, education and infrastructure construction.

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After their talks, Li and Browne witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents on the joint construction of the Belt and Road, trade, transportation, economic development, mutual visa exemptions and climate change.