On March 27, H.E. Chu Maoming, Chinese Ambassador to Dominica, published a signed article titled China Is the True Friend of Caribbean Countries in Dominica’s mainstream newspaper The Chronicle. In the article, Ambassador Chu noted that China–Caribbean relations and cooperation should be advanced on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and justice, so as to deliver tangible benefits to the peoples of both sides.

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Time flies. In the blink of an eye, it has been two years since I assumed my post as China’s Ambassador to Dominica. Standing on this vibrant land full of greenery and vitality, I often reflect on my enduring bond with the Caribbean. More than thirty years ago, I began my overseas diplomatic career in this region. Today, I am honored to return and contribute to the development of China–Dominica relations and China–Caribbean relations.

At present, profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating, the global governance deficit is becoming more pronounced, and multilateralism faces serious challenges. Here in the Caribbean, I can clearly sense that power politics, bullying, and interference once imposed on Caribbean countries are re-emerging, casting a shadow over this zone of peace. Certain forces, in blatant disregard of international norms, have forcibly abducted a legitimate president of a sovereign state, treating international law with contempt. Driven by greed, they openly seek to appropriate other countries’ oil industries and canal resources. Disregarding human rights, they resort to maximum pressure, blockades and sanctions, ignoring the livelihoods of innocent people.

Old scripts from the 19th century shouldn’t be acted out on the international stage of the 21st. The resources of the Caribbean belong to the Caribbean people. The path Caribbean countries choose should be decided by the Caribbean people. Their choice of partners should also be a decision for Caribbean countries alone. In May last year, my President H.E. Xi Jinping announced the launch of the five programs for solidarity, development, civilization, peace, and people-to-people bonds at the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China–CELAC (The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum, charting the course for building a China–LAC (Latin American and Caribbean) community with a shared future. China stands ready to be a good and true friend of Caribbean countries, consistently supporting them in safeguarding their sovereignty, security, and development interests, and promoting deeper and more substantive relations.

We must uphold equality as the defining feature of China–Caribbean relations. The rapid development of China’s relations with regional countries lies in the fact that China never engages in geopolitical schemes, never interferes in other countries’ internal affairs, and never asks others to pick sides. Instead, China always respects Latin American people and commits to equal treatment with LAC countries. Since 2024, President Xi  has met with Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit and President H.E. Sylvanie Burton of Dominica. Through face-to-face exchanges, the leaders have strengthened friendship and discussed cooperation, demonstrating the consistent mutual respect and trust between the two sides. China highly appreciates Caribbean countries that have established diplomatic relations with China for their steadfast adherence to the one-China principle, and will continue to firmly support regional countries in pursuing development paths suited to their national conditions, safeguarding sovereignty and independence, and opposing external interference.

We must uphold mutual benefit and benefits for the people as the fundamental goal of China–Caribbean cooperation. For many years, China has been committed to building a community with a shared future for humanity. In cooperation with Caribbean countries, China follows the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, never attaching any political conditions, but instead practicing mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and genuinely empowering partners in their pursuit of modernization. Take China–Dominica cooperation as an example: whether major projects concerning national development and people’s livelihoods—such as the international airport, schools, the stadium, the hospital, and roads—or smaller community projects like housing repairs and riverbank protection, all are aligned with Dominica’s real needs and aim to benefit the public. This stands in stark contrast to the hegemonic and coercive practices of certain major powers. As China’s 15th Five-Year Plan gets underway, higher-level opening up will bring more opportunities to China–Caribbean cooperation. China stands ready to work with Dominica and other regional countries to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, expand more “small and beautiful” livelihood projects, and deliver more fruitful outcomes across various fields.

We must uphold fairness and justice as the common position of China–Caribbean solidarity. The Caribbean has a proud tradition of independence and self-reliance and is an indispensable force in advancing a multipolar world and economic globalization. China and Caribbean countries are both members of the Global South and share common aspirations in maintaining world peace and stability and promoting global development and prosperity. Today, hegemonic forces continue to threaten regional tranquility, and many countries are under great pressure. History teaches us that the more turbulent the times, the more we must uphold multilateralism and move forward together with resolve. In response to the global governance deficit, President Xi has put forward the Global Governance Initiative, which has been appreciated and supported by leaders of regional countries, including President Burton. Going forward, China and Caribbean countries should work together to uphold international fairness and justice, firmly safeguard the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law, uphold the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, injecting greater stability into the world.

Not long ago, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the 10th Summit of CELAC, speaking positively of the progress made in implementing the five programs and outlining a bright vision for jointly writing a new chapter in building a China–LAC community with a shared future. Looking ahead, China stands ready to advance side by side with Caribbean countries on the path to modernization, so that the development of China–Caribbean relations and the outcomes of cooperation can deliver more tangible benefits to our peoples.