At the invitation of the Chinese government, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica has paid a working visit to China recently and signed the Joint Communiqué Between the People's Republic of China and the Commonwealth of Dominica on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations. The two sides decided to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level as of March 23rd, 2004.

Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council met with Prime Minister Skerrit during his stay in China. Wen Jiabao expressed his earnest congratulations on the normalization of bilateral relations between the two countries. He said the Chinese government and people had always kept a friendly feeling toward the government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica, and the establishment of diplomatic relations had turned a new leaf on bilateral relations. The Chinese side was convinced that as long as the two parties abide by the commitments endorsed in the joint communiqué of establishment of diplomatic relations, strengthen exchanges, enhance understanding and trust and constantly expand cooperation in political, economic and trade as well as cultural and educational spheres, bilateral relations between the two countries will surely develop in a lasting, stable and sound manner, which will benefit the people of both countries.

Wen Jiabao said the Chinese government pursues the independent foreign policy of peace, whose cornerstone is to develop and consolidate relations with the vast number of developing countries. China would like to develop friendly relations of cooperation with developing countries, including those in the Caribbean region, on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence so as to contribute actively to world peace and human progress.

Mr. Skerrit said China is an important player in the international arena and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Commonwealth of Dominica and China is in the fundamental interests of the people in the two countries. Dominica recognizes that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory. The Commonwealth of Dominica will persistently adhere to the one-China policy and actively develop friendly relations of cooperation with China.

On behalf of each government, Li Zhaoxing, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica signed the Joint Communiqué Between the People's Republic of China and the Commonwealth of Dominica on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations on March 23rd.