By Carlisle Jno Baptiste
Chinese Ambassador to Dominica H.E. Chu Maoming said that China has emerged as the main engine of global economic growth as China seeks to “strengthen strategic alignment with Belt Partner countries.” His remarks were made at a press conference held at the Chinese Embassy in Morne Daniel.
According to Ambassador Chu Maoming, since the beginning of this year, in the face of complex developments, China has deepened reform across the board, taken solid steps to pursue high-quality development, steadily expanded institutional opening-up, and focused on developing new, quality productive forces.
“According to forecasts, the total economic output is projected to reach 19.5 trillion USD this year, and China’s contribution to global economic growth has remained at around 30%. China will also maintain its position as the world’s top trader in goods. Continuous achievements emerging in frontier areas such as artificial intelligence, the low-altitude economy, biomanufacturing, and quantum technology will consistently expand the future growth space for the world economy,” he said.
“Moreover, China has remained committed to pursuing green and low-carbon development. Last week, my President H.E. Xi Jinping delivered a statement at the United Nations Climate Summit, solemnly announcing China’s new round of nationally determined contributions (NDCs). By 2035, China will reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7 to 10 percent from the peak levels; increase the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption to over 30 percent; expand the installed capacity of wind and solar power to over six times the 2020 levels, striving to bring the total to 3,600 gigawatts; scale up the total forest stock volume to over 24 billion cubic meters; make NEVs the mainstream in the sales of new vehicles; expand the National Carbon Emissions Trading Market to cover major high-emission sectors; and basically establish a climate adaptive society. Climate response is an urgent yet long-term task.”
China, he revealed, has both the resolve and the confidence to deliver on these commitments and remains “fully understands the concerns of small island developing states (SIDS) such as Dominica and stands ready to work hand in hand with Dominica to advance the vision of harmony between man and nature.”
“China stands ready to work with Dominica to accelerate action, create an international environment conducive to women’s development, and jointly build and share a better world for all women and for all humanity and the political and mutual trust between China and Dominica will continue to deepen,” he stated.
He also spoke of the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women hosted in China on October 13, China, which the President of Dominica, H.E. Sylvanie Burton President, and addressed H.E. Xi Jinping in which he attended.
The Chinese President he revealed put forward four proposals and five concrete measures for accelerating the all-round development of women. “At the Summit, President Burton, as the female head of state representing the Latin American and Caribbean region, received a high-level reception and warm hospitality, which fully demonstrated the friendship between China and Dominica,” he stated.
Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Dominica. “My President H.E. Xi Jinping met with Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit in Beijing, providing guidance and setting the direction for the development of China–Dominica relations. Under the leadership of head-of-state diplomacy, our bilateral relations have continued to grow steadily, with further strengthening of high-level exchanges, Ambassador Chu Maoming stated.
He also revealed that “this month, the Communist Party of China (CPC) will convene the Fourth Plenary Session of its 20th Central Committee and deliberate on the 15th Five-Year Plan and was confident that China’s economic development will continue to bring new opportunities and new momentum to the world, and we welcome Dominica to continue boarding the express train of Chinese modernization.”
“China always appreciates Dominica’s firm adherence to the one-China principle. In the future, China will work with Dominica to support each other on issues bearing on their respective core interests, advance the four Global Initiatives, resolutely safeguard the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law, speak with a common voice in international and regional affairs, and uphold the shared interests of developing countries.”
He stated that “practical cooperation between China and Dominica will become more prosperous, and this year 2025, both sides have continuously implemented the important consensus reached by our leaders, to promote economic and social development and enhance the well-being of the people.”
“We have strengthened practical cooperation across various fields, including agriculture, education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and achieved remarkable results. With nationwide anticipation, we are advancing key infrastructure projects such as the international airport and post-hurricane school reconstruction projects efficiently and effectively. Significant progress has already been made, and these projects are expected to bring more convenience to the people of Dominica soon. The ninth phase of the China Aid Dominica Agricultural Technical Cooperation Project has officially commenced, with agricultural experts continuing to cultivate high-quality varieties on Dominican soil and using advanced technologies to benefit farmers’ incomes and local food supply,” he said.
He also spoke of the new Chinese Medical Team, which he said has earned public acclaim with their skillful and compassionate care, but also led local doctors in performing complex surgeries, leaving advanced medical expertise in Dominica.
“In addition, numerous small and beautiful projects have been or are being implemented across communities, quietly improving people’s daily lives. I am confident that through further alignment of development strategies, China–Dominica practical cooperation will continue to expand and deepen, bringing modernization opportunities in more areas and enhancing the well-being of the people,” the Ambassador stated.
Looking ahead to China’s development goals for the next five years, it is important to view them within the broader context of the country’s long-term development trajectory. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China has always pursued clear and consistent development objectives.
“Over the next five years, China will strengthen strategic alignment with Belt and Road partner countries and better coordinate and manage cooperation programs. We should enhance connectivity in terms of both infrastructure and rules and standards, and foster closer bonds with the people in these countries.”
“We need to refine the multidimensional network connecting partner countries and advance both major signature projects and “small and beautiful” public wellbeing projects. We should deepen practical cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, industrial development, and people-to-people exchanges and launch new cooperation initiatives across fields such as green development, AI, the digital economy, health, tourism, and agriculture.
China and Dominica are both members of the Belt and Road family. Dominica officially joined the Initiative in 2018, and in 2024, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, our two countries signed a new cooperation document on jointly building the Belt and Road, ushering bilateral cooperation into a new stage.