BEIJING — State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on April 29 that China stands ready to work with Caribbean countries to promote peace and development, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and carry forward the friendship among the people.

Wang made the remarks during a foreign ministers' meeting held via video link with nine Caribbean countries that have diplomatic relations with China — Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

Noting the deepened comprehensive partnership of cooperation and fruitful cooperation between the two sides, Wang said that China and Caribbean countries have set an example of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development among countries of all sizes.

He added that it is more important than ever for China and Caribbean countries to strengthen solidarity and deepen cooperation as the world faces complex challenges in economic development and security.

China stands ready to work with Caribbean countries to promote peace and development, draw up a blueprint for the development of bilateral relations, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and carry forward the friendship among the people.

"China will continue to provide economic and technical assistance to Caribbean countries with no political strings attached, support key projects concerned by Caribbean countries and develop projects benefiting people's livelihoods," Wang said.

China has decided to donate anti-pandemic and medical supplies to Caribbean countries having diplomatic relations with China and the Caribbean Community secretariat, set up a China-Caribbean disaster prevention and mitigation fund, and provide more government scholarships to Caribbean countries, Wang noted.

Calling China an important and reliable development partner, the Caribbean participants thanked China for its selfless assistance to the economic and social development of Caribbean countries, particularly China's strong support in coping with natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

They said Caribbean countries firmly pursue the one-China policy, support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity and support China in realizing national reunification. They said the Caribbean countries support and actively participate in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

They welcomed the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, saying these two important initiatives proposed by China fully demonstrate its leading role as a major country.

The Caribbean countries are ready to work with China to promote the implementation of the two initiatives, safeguard world peace and stability, and build the synergy for global development, they said.

They said they appreciated China for upholding justice in international affairs and practising true multilateralism, and expressed willingness to work with China to enhance solidarity to cope with climate change and other global challenges.