Prime Minister David Thompson made the announcement in Beijing yesterday during talks with China's Premier Wen Jiabao, in the Great Hall of the People in the Chinese capital.

In naming the former prime minister to the post, he said the mission should be officially opened before the end of the year.

The Prime Minister said a decision had been taken to appoint a resident ambassador to China in view of the importance attached to the south-east Asian region and particularly China's standing and prominence in world affairs and commerce, as well as its relations with Barbados.

"We as a nation and as a region do lots of trade with China and as such the time has come for us to establish a permanent presence here [in China]," Thompson said.

"Sir Lloyd would be of great assistance in strengthening our thrust in human resource development, which China has identified as an area it can assist with."

For his part, Premier Wen observed that Sir Lloyd was "an old friend of China".

Businessman Sir Allan Fields was appointed non-resident ambassador to China under the previous Owen Arthur administration.

During the talks, which formed part of a series of meetings Thompson is holding during his official visit to China, he also invited Premier Wen to pay an official visit to Barbados.

Premier Wen has also invited Thompson to attend the opening of this year's Summer Olympic Games in China. (CG/BGIS)