Visiting economic ministers from eight Caribbean countries said in Shanghai Sunday that China's development offers great economic opportunities for the Caribbean nations and China is a model for developing countries.

Minister of Planning, Trade, Industry, Commerce and Public Service Affairs Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda said in an interview with Xinhua that the Caribbean countries are experiencing difficulties and seeking to expand international trade.

"China will grow into a great global economy, and that is very important for we Caribbean countries," Browne said.

The ministers, who arrived Friday in this east China metropolis after visiting Beijing, are from Surinam, Guyana, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas and Jamaica.

They are in China for 10 days to study Chinese experience in external trade, economic cooperation, reform and opening-up and rural area development.

Statistics from Chinese customs indicate that Chinese trade with Caribbean countries, except Cuba, rose 23 percent year-on-year to US$666 million in 2002 and Chinese investment in the region hit US$58 million by June 2003.

Economic cooperation between China and the Caribbean countries has expanded from the traditional labor, agriculture and handicraft industries to the manufacturing of home appliances, sea transportation and tourism.

"Chinese investment in those countries, serving as the foundation of long-term and strategic cooperation, is on the rise, and bilateral economic ties have huge potential," said Ma Xiuhong, vice minister of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC).

Minister of Labor Relations, Public Service, and Cooperatives of Saint Lucia Velon Leo John said that China has accumulated many successful experiences in reform and opening-up.

That is a key reason Caribbean countries wish to cooperate with China, besides aid, investment and projects, John noted.

Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, have a world-class municipal construction, said Browne, adding that he was attracted by China's modern facilities and information technology industry.

Browne also believed China will contribute more to world peace and human development and said they "saw the bright future of developing countries from China's great progress".

China has offered huge help to Caribbean countries, the ministers said.

China has striven to control and reduce the loss of ozone, while Caribbean countries suffered from the warming global climate.

China also advocated for special treatment for developing nations in the World Trade Organization.

Those acts indicated China's strong support for Caribbean countries and developing countries as a whole, the ministers noted.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2003)