Article by Mr. Huang Xinhua, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados

On May 13, the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum (China-CELAC Forum) was successfully held in Beijing. President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. In his speech, President Xi announced that China stands ready to join hands with its Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) partners to launch five programs, namely Solidarity Program, Development Program, Civilization Program, Peace Program, and People-to-People Connectivity Program, that advance shared development and revitalization, and contribute to a China-LAC community with a shared future. The meeting adopted the Beijing Declaration and the China-CELAC Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in Key Areas (2025-2027), and also reached more than 100 three-year cooperation projects. China also announced 20 measures in supporting LAC countries’ development.

10 years ago, the First Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum was successfully held in Beijing, officially ushering in a new stage of parallel and mutually reinforcing bilateral and overall cooperation in China-LAC relations. Over the past decade, under the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy and with the joint efforts of both sides, the China-CELAC Forum has established mechanisms such as ministerial meetings, foreign ministers’ dialogue between China and the CELAC Quartet, and meetings of national coordinators, building the pillars of overall cooperation between China and LAC countries. 

China-LAC relations have continued to deepen. Upholding mutual respect and accommodating each other’s core interests and major concerns, the two sides have maintained close communication through platforms such as the United Nations and APEC, working together to advance global governance reform and protect the common interests of developing countries.

China-LAC cooperation has yielded fruitful results. China has been Latin America and the Caribbean’s second-largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years. In 2024, trade between China and LAC countries reached US$518.4 billion for the first time. Under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the quality upgrade and innovative development of the China-LAC cooperation is accelerating. More than 200 infrastructure projects and multiple industrial capacity cooperation projects built by China have generated more than one million jobs for the local people. 

China-LAC cultural exchanges are vibrant and diverse. China has so far provided LAC countries with 17,000 government scholarships and around 13,000 training opportunities in China, and signed 26 cooperation documents on education with 19 regional countries. China has rolled out 240-hour visa-free transit policy for multiple LAC countries. Cultural exchanges under the framework of the China-CELAC Forum have flourished, continuously consolidating the foundation for people-to-people ties. 

As an 11th-century Chinese poet wrote, “Life’s greatest joy comes from finding kindred spirits.” Latin America has a similar proverb which goes, “The one who has a friend has a treasure.” Though China and LAC countries are separated by mountains and oceans, both sides deeply cherish their friendship. No matter how the world changes, China will always stand by LAC countries as a good friend and a good partner, and march forward together on our paths toward modernization. Taking the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum as an opportunity, China is ready to work with the LAC countries to discuss plans for development and cooperation, and jointly contribute wisdom and strength to addressing global challenges, promoting global governance reform and safeguarding world peace and stability. 

CARICOM border officials participating in the Barbados leg of the Border Officials Attachment Programme now have a better idea of the operations of this island’s port of entries, which would assist them in the implementation of the Free Movement for All initiative.

The participants from Belize, Dominica, Haiti, and Jamaica, consisting of Customs and Immigration Officers, and CSME Focal Point Officers, toured the Port of Bridgetown, Port St. Charles, and the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA).

During the tour of the GAIA, which was overseen by Quality Assurance Officer, Orlando Neblett, the group got a first-hand look at the operations of Customs, Immigration, and Port Health Officers.

Immigration Officer II, Valerie Rouse, who demonstrated how the kiosks in the arrival hall work, explained the procedure that would be in place if the machines are inoperational. 

She also described the process for the different lines (fast track, CARICOM nationals and all others) for arriving passengers, the Compliance Section, the secondary interview, and detention areas.

Health Sister, Kim Rock, spoke of her role in assisting any passenger who may experience medical issues during a flight, and assessing any alarm raised regarding an infectious passenger, for example, someone travelling from a destination which may have an outbreak of measles.

The visit to the customs area involved seeing where luggage is scanned and loaded before being placed on the belt for collection; the rationale behind a luggage search, even if the person has joined the ‘Nothing To Declare’ line, and other procedures conducted by customs officers carrying out their duties at the GAIA.

The border officials also heard from the Agricultural Quarantine Port Health Officer, Faith Williams, about her role, which involves examining animal products, food items, and seeds or plants found on a traveller for pests and diseases. 

Ms. Williams said her section is vital to protecting plant health and biodiversity in Barbados. She also explained the process for clearing an imported pet.

Following the GAIA tour, Customs Officer from Dominica, Nigel Martin, and CSME Focal Point Officer from Haiti, Kemissa Trecile, shared how they found the programme so far.

Mr. Martin said: “The course has been very informative. Barbados is very far in the CSME movement. There is a lot we need to adopt to follow them…and a lot to take back and learn from.” 

He also noted that the procedures for customs in Barbados are the same as in Dominica, but on a much larger scale, adding: “But we don’t have the capacity to do it at this level.”

Ms. Trecile stated: “Everybody was very welcoming in Barbados, and I’m happy to be here. This programme has been very informative. I am really impressed by how customs, immigration, and other entities are very advanced in implementing the process of CSME here in Barbados, and that will definitely inspire me to make a lot of suggestions back home in Haiti.”

Regarding the tour, she said: “It was very interesting to see how every department works, how they organise themselves, and of course, I noted a lot of best practices that I would suggest back home.” 

The Border Officials Attachment Programme is being facilitated by the CARICOM Secretariat with financial support from the 11th European Development Fund, under the “Strengthening the Framework of CARICOM Integration and Cooperation Process” Programme. (PR/GIS)

Caption: CARICOM border officials, participating in the Barbados leg of the Border Officials Attachment Programme, tour the Grantley Adams International Airport yesterday