I. Bilateral Political Relations

On May 30, 1977, China and Barbados formally established diplomatic relations. Since then, a stable development of bilateral relations characterized by a constant increase of mutual visits, especially the high-level ones has deepened mutual understanding and friendship, thus playing an important role in developing healthy and stable bilateral relations.

Mutual Visits

(1) Visit to China by Barbados' Prime Minister Adams. At the invitation of the Chinese Government, Barbados' Prime Minister Adams paid an official visit to China at the head of a government delegation from June 11 to 18, 1980. Chinese Premier Hua Guo-feng held a banquet in honor of Adams and held talks with him. Chinese Vice-Premier Deng Xiao-ping met with Adams and gave a dinner in his honor. The leaders of the two countries exchanged views on the international situation and the situation of the Caribbean region, expressing their satisfaction over the development of bilateral relations since the establishment of the diplomatic ties. Praising the Chinese policy of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, Adams stated: it is often comparatively difficult to maintain good relations between big and small countries since good bilateral relations lie in ironing out mutual differences and eliminating the control over the small countries by the big ones. The relations of Barbados and other Caribbean countries with China are different. China has never interfered in any way in the internal affaires of Barbados and other countries, and never has it disrupted peace of Barbados and the Caribbean region.

During the visit, the two sides signed the Cultural Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Barbados, which highlighted encouraging and supporting the bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, education, science and technology, health, sports, publishing and news media, broadcast, film and television.

(2) In March 1981, Vice-Chairman Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of PRC visited Barbados at the head of a NPC delegation. Prime Minister Adams met with the delegation, accorded them a banquet, and offered his official car for Ngapoi's use during his stay in Barbados. The President of the Senate and House of Representatives held a grand banquet in honor of the delegation.

(3) In August 1982, Barbados' Foreign Minister Tarr was invited to pay an official visit to China. Chinese Vice-Premier Wan Li met with Tarr while Chinese Foreign Minister Huang Hua held talks with him. Foreign Minister Huang Hua elaborated China's views and stance mainly on such issues as international situation, situation of Asia, Central America, Middle East, Afghanistan, Cambodia, and the Chinese Foreign Policy as well as the development of the cooperation among the third world countries. Foreign Minister Tarr mainly introduced the situation of Central America and the Caribbean region, expressing his satisfaction over the importance attached by China towards the third world countries. Tarr held that the third world countries would emerge as a strong strength in the world. Both sides expressed their satisfaction over the development of the bilateral relations. Tarr expressed his thanks to China for offering Barbados agricultural planting techniques, believing that agriculture was a very important field for bilateral cooperation. Barbados hoped that such cooperation would be further strengthened since it was prepared to solve the problem of self-supply in grain.

(4) In December 1982, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Han Xu visited Barbados. Barbados' Foreign Minister Tarr met with Han, expressing that Barbados would continue to cooperate with China in the international arena. Foreign Minister Tarr hosted a reception in honor of Vice-Foreign Minister Han Xu.

(5) In October 1987, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Zhu Qizhen visited Barbados. During his visit, Zhu called on Barbados' Prime Minister Sandford, Acting Foreign Minister King, and Opposition Leader Ford. Zhu also attended the Luncheon hosted by Mr. Phillips, a celebrity of the Eastern Caribbean. Zhu expressed his thanks for Phillips' efforts in promoting the relations between China and the Eastern Caribbean countries without diplomatic ties with China.

(6) In February 1990, Chinese vice-Foreign Minister Liu Huaqiu visited Barbados. Barbados' Prime Minister Sandford met with Liu. After Barbados' Foreign Minister King held talks with Liu, the two signed on behalf their respective governments an exchange of notes on providing gratuitous assistance to the Barbados' Government by the Chinese Government.

(7) On May 9-13, 1990, Barbados's Prime Minister Sandford paid an official visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese Government. President Yang Shangkun and General Secretary Jiang Zemin met with Sandford respectively. Premier Li Peng held talks with Sandford. The Chinese leaders expounded China's views on the international situation, introduced China's independent foreign policy of peace, and reiterated China's stance against hegemonism and power politics, and proposed that all countries, big or small, are equal. The Chinese leaders also expressed their admiration for Barbados' government calling for an establishment of a new international economic order through constructive cooperation. The Chinese side reiterated China's support to the efforts of the Caribbean countries to maintain their national independence and sovereignty, reinvigorate regional economy and raising the people's living standards and to push forwar regional integration process. China was willing to develop its relations with the Caribbean countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The Chinese leaders briefly set forth China's stance on the issue of Taiwan and expressed appreciation to Barbados' government for its adherence to one China policy.

Expressing his admiration for China's efforts for the cause of peace and development, Sandford believed that China's activities in the United Nations reflected the desire and interests of various countries in the world, especially of the third world countries, and helped the people of the third world to realize their desire of improving their living standards.

The leaders of the two countries gave a positive evaluation of the bilateral friendly relations and cooperation. The two sides expressed willingness to further strengthen economic and trade relations and signed on behalf of their respective governments the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Barbados on Economic and Technological Cooperation. 

(8) In July 1992, Secretary General Luo Gan of the Chinese State Council visited Barbados at the head of a Chinese government delegation. Barbados Prime Minister Sandford and Foreign Minister King met with the delegation. The delegation also called on the Acting Leader of the Opposition Party, the Labor Party, and attended the ceremony of the handing over of the Barbados' Gymnasium constructed with Chinese assistance. Secretary General Luo Gan and the Barbados Prime Minister signed a new agreement on economic and technological cooperation and a new loan agreement.

(9) In June 1993, Vice-Chairman Chen Muhua of NPC Standing Committee visited Barbados at the head of a NPC delegation. During the visit, the delegation met with the Acting Governor General Williams, Prime Minister Sandford, President of the Senate Jordan, Speaker of the House of Assembly Weeks, and Foreign Minister King. The Barbados' Parliament held a reception in honor of the delegation. The Barbados' side praised highly the role of China as a third world big power in international affairs and expressed its thanks to China for its economic and technical assistance. Vice-Chairman Chen extended once again the invitations to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Assembly to visit China.

(10) In May 1996, Assistant Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi visited Barbados. Barbados' Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Miller met him and accorded a luncheon in his honor. On behalf of their respective governments, the two sides signed an exchange of notes on providing gratuitous assistance to the Barbados government by the Chinese government. Yang also called on Speaker of the House of Assembly Roett and held talks with the Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Laurie.

(11) In July 1998, at the invitation of the Barbados government, Vice- Premier Qian Qichen paid an official visit to Barbados. It was the highest level visit by China to Barbados since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During the visit, Vice-Premier Qian held talks with Prime Minister of Barbados Arthur and they signed on behalf of their respective governments an Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Barbados on Encouraging and Mutually Protecting Investment. Vice- Premier Qian also met with Governor General Husbands, Senate President Gollop, and accepted an interview by the Barbados TV Station. Vice-Premier Qian stressed that China attaches great importance to its relations with all Caribbean countries including Barbados. China always held that all countries, big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, were equal. It considered the development of its friendly cooperation with the Caribbean countries, including Barbados, as an important part in the "South-South Cooperation". Vice-Premier Qian expressed thanks to the Barbados government for its consistent adherence of one China policy over the years, believing that through the joint efforts, the friendly relations and cooperation between China and Barbados and other Caribbean countries would reach to a new level. Prime Minister Arthur said that Barbados attached great importance to its relations with China and expressed his satisfaction with the bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and other fields. He expressed the hope that such cooperation would be carried out in a more effective way and that the relations between China and the Caribbean countries would be further strengthened in future.

(12) In August 1999, a Chinese Delegation of the State Administration of Taxation visited Barbados. The Chinese Delegation and its counterpart held technical talks on a Draft Agreement between the Government of PRC and the Government of Barbados on the Avoidance of Double Taxation. The two sides initialed the draft agreement.

(13) In August 1999, Barbados Procurator-General and Minister of Interior Simmons led a delegation to attend the Beijing Conference of the Universal Postal Union.

(14) In September 1999, at the invitation of Chairman Li Peng of NPC Standing Committee, Barbados Senate President Gollop paid an official goodwill visit to China. Chairman Li Peng met with him. Vice-Chairman Jiang Zhenghua and Chairman Wang Weicheng of the Law Committee of NPC Standing Committee met with Mr. Gollop and held dinners in his honor respectively. Mr. Gollop and his wife also visited Shanghai and Henan.

(15) From March 21 to 23 of 2000, a Delegation of the International Liaison Department of CPC Central Committee headed by Deputy Head of the Department Liu Jingqin visited Barbados.  The Delegation was met by Miller, Barbados Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Falley, Chairman of the Labor Party and Minister of International Commerce, and Tompson, Leader and Chairman of the Opposition Party.

(16) From May 14 to 19 of 2000, at the invitation of Premier of the State Council Zhu Rongji, Barbados Prime Minister Arthur paid an official visit to China.  President Jiang Zemin, Chairman Li Peng of NPC Standing Committee, and Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng met with Arthur.  Premier Zhu Rongji held talks with him. Chinese leaders praised highly the bilateral relations, believing that the visit paid by Arthur would further promote the friendly relations between the two countries.  The two sides also exchanged views on domestic and international issues of common concern.  The head of State Administration of Taxation of China Jin Renqing and Barbados Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Miller signed on behalf of their respective governments an Agreement between the Government of PRC and the Government of Barbados on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Tax Evasion. Arthur and his party also visited Hangzhou and Shanghai.

(17) On May 9-13, 2001, a Chinese trade and economic delegation led by Vice-President of China Council for International Trade Promotion Wan Jifei visited Barbados. During the visit, Acting Barbados Foreign Minister and Foreign Trade Minister Goddard met and held a luncheon in honor of the delegation. The delegation called on President of Barbados Association of Privately-Run Enterprises Fields and Chairman of Barbados Chamber of Commerce Williams respectively. It also held talks with Barbados industrial and business communities on bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

(18) From June 24 to July 5, 2001, at the invitation of All-China Federation of Trade Unions, a Barbados trade union delegation, headed by President of All-Barbados Federation of Trade Unions and General Secretary of Barbados Federation of Blue Collar Trade Unions Trotman paid a goodwill visit to China. Wei Jianxing, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Secretary of its Secretariat and President of All-China Federation of Trade Unions, met with the delegation. Vice-President and First Secretary of the Secretariat of All-China Federation of Trade Unions Zhang Junjiu hosted a dinner in honour of the delegation. Vice-President of All-China Federation of Trade Unions Xu Shicheng held talks with the delegation. The delegation also visited Ningxia and Shanghai.

(19) On June 18-22, 2002, a delegation of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce for Overseas Contract Projects, headed by Wang Wendong, Honorary Chairman of this chamber and former vice-minister of foreign trade and economic cooperation, visited Barbados. The delegation called on Barbados Housing Minister Clark and held talks with Caribbean Development Bank and Barbados industrial and business circles. Chinese Ambassador Yang Zhikuan hosted a reception in honor of the delegation.

(20) On January 11-14, 2002, State Councilor Wu Yi headed a Chinese Government Delegation to visit Barbados. Mme Wu held extensive and fruitful talks with Barbados Prime Minister Arthur and Deputy Prime Minister Miller. Before the talks, the two sides signed the exchange of notes on China providing Barbados with aid gratis and the certificate of handing over the Cheapside market. Mme Wu also paid a courtesy call on Governor General Husbands. Chinese entrepreneurs on the entourage held talks with competent personnel of Barbados industrial and business circles.  

II. Economic and Trade Relations, Economic and Technological Cooperation

Major joint ventures between China and Barbados are as follows: Gymnasium, two complete fitting-up projects of Sherbourn Conference Center, Cheapside Market Renovation Project, Home Vegetable Growing Experimental Center, embroidery, grass weaving and feather handicraft.       Bilateral trade volume has grown by a big margin in recent years. But it still remains at a small amount, mostly with export from China. According to statistics of General Administration of Customs of China, trade volume totaled $10.35 million in 2002, rising year-on-year by 89.2%, with China's export at $10.22 million and import at $130,000.

III. Bilateral Cultural and Educational Exchanges and Cooperation

(1) In 1979, a Chinese Table Tennis Team visited Barbados.

(2) In January 1980, China sent a table tennis player to Barbados for a year's work.

(3) In accordance with the Cultural Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Barbados, China in 1990 accepted two Barbados' students to study Chinese in China.

(4) In October 1990, chief editor of Barbados newspaper Nation Mr. Hoight and his wife visited China at the invitation of the chief editor of the People's Daily. Chief editor of People's Daily Shao Huaze met with them and held a dinner in their honor.

(5) In May 1991, at the invitation of the Ministry of Broadcast and Film and Television, general manager Tait of Caribbean Broadcast Company and another guest visited China. Vice-Minister Ma Qingxiong met with them and held a dinner in their honor. Deputy Director of China Central Television (CCTV) Yu Guanghua held talks with them.

(6) In July 1992, at the invitation of the Barbados' Western Indian University, Dean Wang Rongpei of Dalian Foreign Languages Institute led a four men delegation to pay a friendly visit to Barbados. The two sides signed an agreement on educational and cultural exchanges. The agreement includes the exchange program between teachers and students, and the exchange of information concerning library management and languages as well as book and teaching materials.

(7) In September 1996, the Dalian Children Acrobatics Troupe visited Barbados.

(8) In June 1997, the Chinese Embassy in Barbados sponsored a picture and photograph exhibition in Sherbourn Conference Center on Chinese construction achievements in celebration of the 20 anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Barbados.

(9) On May 17, 2002, Chinese Ambassador to Barbados Yang Zhikuan held a reception in Sherborun Conference Center for the opening ceremony of "China Hall" at Barbados International Trade Exhibition. More than 200 guests from various circles of Barbados including Acting Minister of Economic Development Bark attended the reception and visited the "China Hall" after the reception. Four Chinese companies organized by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade took part in the exhibition. It was the first time that China sent a delegation to take part in the exhibition.

(10) On August 12, 2002, China's Ministry of Public Security sent a team to take part in the in-door football tournament in Barbados and won the runner-up.

IV. Important Bilateral Agreements and Documents

(1) Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the People's Republic of China and Barbados (May 30, 1977)

(2) Cultural Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Barbados (June 13, 1980)

(3) Agreement between China and Barbados on the Construction of a Gymanasium in Barbados with Chinese assistance (May 16, 1986)

(4) Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Barbados on Economic and Technological Cooperation (May 11, 1990)

(5) Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Barbados on Economic and Technological Cooperation (July 27, 1992)

(6) Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Barbados on the Retention of Honorary Consulate in Hong Kong SAR of China by Barbados (April 30, 1997)

(7) Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Barbados on Encouragement and Mutual Protection of Investment (July 1998)