On June 1, 2013, President Xi Jinping met with Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, President of Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain.

Xi Jinping said that "distance can't keep apart friends who know each other's hearts." Though geographically far apart, China and Trinidad and Tobago enjoy a profound traditional friendship between the two peoples. Trinidad and Tobago was among the first Caribbean countries to establish diplomatic relationship with China and has always supported China on issues concerning China's core interests. The Chinese people will never forget that Trinidad and Tobago cast its vote in favour of restoring the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations in 1971. Trinidad and Tobago is the first Caribbean country I visit since taking office as the Chinese President, as well as the first stop of my current visit to Latin American and the Caribbean. This visit is to strengthen friendly cooperation between the two countries and to push China-Trinidad and Tobago relationship going better and better.

Carmona said that China is a great country with a time-honoured history and brilliant civilization. Trinidad and Tobago decided to establish diplomatic relationship with the People's Republic of China in 1974. History proves that it is a move of strategic vision. The bilateral relationship has achieved fruitful results. The Chinese side has undertaken quite a number of key construction projects in Trinidad and Tobago, helping boost economic and social development of Trinidad and Tobago and benefiting local people. Trinidad and Tobago hopes to strengthen exchanges with China and to carry out new cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, clean energy and environmental protection. Trinidad and Tobago is willing to enhance people-to-people exchanges with China, welcomes the establishment of a Confucius Institute in Trinidad and Tobago and encourages more exchanges of students between the two countries to deepen mutual understanding and friendship.

Today is the International Children's Day. Prior to the meeting, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, accompanied by President Carmona and his wife, met with high school student representatives of Trinidad and Tobago. Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan shook hands and chatted with the students, encouraging them to enhance exchanges with Chinese young people and to carry on the cause of promoting friendship between China and Trinidad and Tobago. Xi Jinping said that the youth are hope for the country and for the future of bilateral friendship. We need to create more opportunities for the people of the young generation in the two countries to get more exchanges and know each other better so that the sown seeds of friendship will grow up, bloom and yield fruits in the hearts of young people.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu and Yang Jiechi were present at the above activities.

On the same day, President Xi Jinping's wife Peng Liyuan, accompanied by Mrs. Carmona, went to a show at Trinidad and Tobago National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA). The artistes performed local dances and Calypso songs of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as playing two pieces of Chinese songs In the Field of Hope and Everyone Praises My Hometown on the steel pan. Peng Liyuan walked up to the pan band and picked up the sticks, playing together with the performers. Peng Liyuan told the performers that in 1980s, the Trinidad and Tobago Steel Orchestra visited China, bringing to the people of China the unique artistic experience. You are welcome to perform again in China in the future, and hope that the China-Trinidad and Tobago friendship will last forever like the beautiful melodies.