Chinese premier vows to bolster political, economic ties with Jamaica

BEIJING, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pledged Wednesday to continue China's support to Jamaica's economic development, saying the two sides should expand cooperation in infrastructure construction, mining and tourism.

Wen made the remarks when meeting with his Jamaican counterpart Bruce Golding.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with  Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding at the Great  Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 3, 2010. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

"As the international financial crisis has posed severe impact on China and the Caribbean states, we should help each other, enhance cooperation, and jointly cope with challenges so as to consistently boost our friendly ties," Wen said.

China's trade with Jamaica slipped by some 30 percent to 219 million U.S. dollars last year. However, China's imports from Jamaica nearly tripled year on year, according to Chinese custom figures.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (front R) holds a welcoming ceremony for visit- ing Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding (front L) at the Great Hall of  the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 3, 2010. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

He called on the two sides to bolster cooperation in infrastructure construction, mining industry and tourism, and said China is ready to support more cultural, educational and sports exchanges with Jamaica.

"Jamaica is one of the first countries in the Caribbean region to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, it always adheres to the one-China policy, and the two peoples have friendly feelings toward each other," Wen told Golding, who is on his first official visit to China.