The Sixth Round of Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Caribbean Countries which have Diplomatic Relations with China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China was held in Bridgetown, capital of Barbados, on 22 March 2016. Senator the Honourable Maxine McClean, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados and Mr. Wang Chao, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China co-chaired the Consultations.

The Caribbean Countries represented at the Consultations were Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Barbados, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Jamaica, the Republic of Suriname and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

1. The Two Sides reviewed with satisfaction the progress made in the relations between China and the Caribbean countries since the Fifth Round of Consultations in 2012 and agreed to make concerted efforts to continue deepening their comprehensive cooperation and partnership based on mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and joint development. They also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest.

2. The Two Sides agreed to continue high-level visits, promote exchange at various levels and expand cooperation among governments, legislatures, local governments and the youth. The Two Sides commended the important role of this consultation mechanism in strengthening the relations between China and the Caribbean countries and agreed to continue to enhance dialogue and consultation.

3. The Two Sides agreed to deepen practical cooperation by strengthening collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, finance, infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and agriculture, jointly implementing ongoing and potential projects as well as convening the Fourth China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum at an appropriate date. The Caribbean Side expressed its appreciation for China's commitment to continue providing assistance, to the best of its ability, to friendly Caribbean countries for their economic and social development.

4. The Two Sides agreed to enhance exchanges and cooperation in Education, Culture, Media, Sport and Tourism, among other areas, continue to support exchange of visits by art troupes, Journalists, and Athletes, encourage cooperation by Aviation and Tourism authorities and mutual promotion of tourism and its products to expand cooperation in tourism, and support cooperation between educational departments and institutions. The Caribbean Side welcomed the ongoing establishment of Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms by China in the Caribbean. China also committed to continuing to provide scholarships and training opportunities to friendly Caribbean countries.

5. The Two Sides highly commended the important role of the China-CELAC Forum in boosting the overall cooperation between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries. They agreed to continue to follow up on the consensus reached and outcomes achieved during the exchange of visits by leaders and at the First Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum. They also agreed to promote cooperation under the framework of the China-CELAC Forum and work towards achieving more early results through effective use of the financing arrangements, convening sub-fora and cultural exchange activities, among others. China will continue to accommodate the special needs of the Caribbean countries through necessary policy measures and welcomed the participation of the Caribbean Development Bank and other regional financial institutions in relevant collaboration.

6. The Caribbean Side re-affirmed its strong commitment to the one China policy and its unwavering support for China's peaceful reunification. China expressed appreciation for this and reaffirmed its support for regional integration in the Caribbean.

7. The Two Sides agreed to further enhance consular ties and collaboration, provide mutual visa facilitation, expand people-to-people exchanges, and to strengthen measures to protect the safety and legitimate rights and interests of the other's enterprises and nationals in accordance with the national legislation of the participant countries.

8. The Two Sides agreed to strengthen exchanges between their judicial and law enforcement institutions, and to discuss the signing of cooperation documents including extradition treaties and treaties on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. The Caribbean and China noted the ongoing anti-corruption efforts undertaken by both sides.

9. The Two Sides agreed to continue to enhance health cooperation. The Caribbean countries expressed their appreciation for China's dispatch to the Caribbean of medical teams and opthalmologists, under the "Brightness Action"programme, and the free medical service they provided. China expressed its willingness to work with the Caribbean countries in the fight against epidemic diseases.

10. The Two Sides agreed to continue to strengthen consultation and cooperation on matters such as the reform of the United Nations Security Council, climate change, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the world drug problem, and to promote their common interests and those of developing countries, acknowledging the unique and particular vulnerabilities of small island developing states and low lying coastal areas. Both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and agreed on the need for close cooperation and collaboration within the international community to combat this scourge.

11. The countries present at the Consultations expressed appreciation to Barbados for the thoughtful arrangements made for the Consultations and the warm hospitality accorded to the Delegations.

12. The Two Sides agreed to convene, in China in 2018, the Seventh Round of Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Caribbean Countries which have Diplomatic Relations with China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

March 22, 2016