The relations between Barbados and the People’s Republic of China have deepened and borne many fruitful ventures under China’s Ambassador to Barbados, Yan Xiusheng’s tenure.
This is according to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, as he expressed thanks, on behalf of the Government, to Ambassador Xiusheng, during a farewell courtesy call on Tuesday, at the Ministry’s Culloden Road office.
The Minister told the Ambassador that his tour of duty is one which he “will remember very fondly”, and since his arrival some seven years ago, the relationship between Barbados and China had deepened.
Mr. Symmonds continued: “We are grateful to you. You have a friend in Barbados. I say this very sincerely, there have been many areas where you have offered tremendous assistance to Barbados. I think that as we look back at it, the relationship between China and Barbados has grown considerably during your tenure.
“We’ve done a lot of good business together in many sectors, education, health, transportation and virtually every aspect of our sports. In fact, every aspect of our economy and society has benefitted, in particular, the introduction of the ambassador scholarship, and we want to say thank you.”
Ambassador Xiusheng said he made many friends from all walks of life during his time in Barbados and thanked the Minister and Government for the support and assistance given in helping him fulfil his role as a diplomat here.
“The cooperation between our two countries has been further enhanced and solidified. In the future, China will remain firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace and be dedicated to building a community with a shared future. China will continue to advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation,” the Ambassador stated.
Mr. Xiusheng, who took up the post in 2018, was the 14th and longest-serving Ambassador from China to Barbados. He was also the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.
Also present at the farewell courtesy call were acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Paula Byer; Senior Foreign Service Officer, Trecia King; Foreign Service Officer, Asha Pitt; and four officials from the Chinese embassy, including Political Counsellor, Xinhua Huang; and Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Liang Jie.
Barbados and China established diplomatic relations on May 30, 1977. (PR/GIS)
Caption: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, chatting with China’s outgoing Ambassador to Barbados, Yan Xiusheng, during a meeting on Tuesday
