On January 31, 2005, Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong who was paying an official visit to Trinidad and Tobago met with President Maxwell Richards in Port of Spain.

Zeng said over the past three decades since the two countries forged diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have witnessed stable development. The two sides have conducted sound cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields. As developing countries with similar historical encounters, Both China and Trinidad and Tobago are facing with the mission of developing their economy and improve their people's well-beings. As both economies enjoy high growth rates and are highly complementary, bilateral cooperation boasts great potentials. The further development of friendly relations between the two countries is in the fundamental interest of both peoples. The Chinese government gives priority to developing relations with Trinidad and Tobago and would like to further promote bilateral friendly and cooperative relations for mutual benefits on the basis of the sound foundation of bilateral ties.

Richards indicated that Trinidad and Tobago has maintained many years of friendly cooperative relations with China. In recent years, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has grown rapidly with a sound momentum of development. During Vice President Zeng's visit, the two sides signed another 3 important cooperation accords, which as he believed would further boost bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, culture and tourism. The government of Trinidad and Tobago is committed to developing more solid relations with China and would like to work with China unswervingly to this end.

Zeng also held talks with Prime Minister Patrick Manning on the same day. The two leaders conducted an in-depth exchange of views and reached broad consensus on bilateral cooperation in various fields, and on international and regional issues of common interest. Both sides hoped to maintain contacts between the two governments, parliaments and political parties, so as to increase mutual understanding, deepen economic and trade ties and create a win-win situation of mutual benefit. Trinidad and Tobago agreed to offer assistance to Chinese businesses investing in the country, while China welcomes companies from Trinidad and Tobago to find cooperation chances in the country. Trinidad and Tobago recognized China's full market economy status and China agreed to list Trinidad and Tobago as the tourist destination for Chinese citizens. Both sides agreed to expand cultural and educational exchanges by governmental, civil and commercial channels.

Manning reiterated Trinidad and Tobago sticks to the one China policy, for which Zeng expressed appreciations.

Following the talks, the two sides signed cooperation accords on culture, economy and technology.

On the same day Zeng also visited the Pitch Lake in Trinidad and Tobago which is the largest natural pitch lake around the world with a reserve of 12 million tons and an annual output of 120 thousand tons. China is one of the major importers of the natural pitch.