(Trinidad Express) President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, is scheduled to pay a three-day State visit to this country starting from May 31, a release from the Office of the Prime Minister stated yesterday.
Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan are expected to visit this country from May 31 to June 2.
“The visit of the Chinese President will follow closely on the heels of the Vice-President of the United States, Joe Biden, who will pay an official visit o this country during the period May 27 to May 28, 2013,” the release stated yesterday.
President Anthony Carmona, SC, issued an invitation to Xi to visit this country, the release stated yesterday.
In his letter of invitation Carmona “noted the shared history of the two countries that dates back to the 19th century, long before the formal establishment of diplomatic relations on June 20, 1974”.
“This visit is of particular historical significance as it will be the first visit of a President of the People’s Republic of China to the English-speaking Caribbean,” the release stated.
“Relations between the two countries have been shaped by mutual interest and goodwill and enhanced by the exchange of political, economic and cultural visits,” it stated.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar noted, “There is a strong Chinese presence in Trinidad and Tobago, namely in the areas of culture and trade as evidenced by the growing recognition of the Chinese New Year by citizens of Trinidad and Tobago and the numerous businesses being opened across the country.”
Persad-Bissessar added, “That trade links are already established with business owners from Trinidad and Tobago frequenting the People’s Republic of China to purchase goods.”
“Nationals of the People’s Republic of China have been working in this country for a number of years, particularly in the construction industry and are currently engaged in the construction of the Couva Children’s Hospital, the University of the West Indies’ South Campus in Debe and a Confucius Institution,” Persad-Bissessar said.
“Trinidad and Tobago has consistently remained an adherent to the One China Policy since it recognised and supported the restoration of China’s legitimate rights in the United Nations during the 26th Session of the UN General Assembly ion 1971,” the release stated.
Following the visit to the country Xi and his wife are scheduled to visit the Republic of Costa Rica and the United Mexican States.
