by RICKEY SINGH

PRIME MINISTER Owen Arthur is scheduled to leave today on a one-week official visit to the People's Republic of China.

The journey to Beijing, the second for the Prime Minister in five years, coincides with 30 years of diplomatic relations and strengthened friendship between Barbados and China.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development, Mia Mottley toasted the 30th anniversary of the Bridgetown-Beijing diplomatic connection.

She commended China's commitment to respect the sovereignty of all nations, "irrespective of their size or resources . . . ."

This commitment by China, said Mottley in responding to a toast at the reception hosted by current Chinese ambassador to Barbados Liu HuanXing, has significantly benefited the Barbadian people over the last 30 years and has "rivalled that of many other countries in our post-independence period . . . ."

The contributions from China, Mottley pointed out, ranged from tangible monuments such as the Garfield Sobers Gynasium and the Cheapside Market to intangibles like scholarships and assistance in security to the Barbados Defence Force.

"Ahead of us," she added, "we are working on assistance for the construction of the Fairchild Street Market and the feasibility study for the redevelopment of the National Stadium and its ultimate funding, if feasible . . ."

The Chinese ambassador, stressing the value his country placed on maintaining good relations with Barbados, noted that bilateral "mutually beneficial cooperation" in the fields of economy and trade, have developed "by leaps and bounds" with volume trade totalling more than BDS$100 million in 2006.

Prime Minister Arthur's visit is expected to further elevate the significance of China-Barbados relations.

It is taking place at a time of contrast in the changed relationship in another CARICOM state, St Lucia, which last month jettisoned diplomatic ties with Beijing for a return to relations with Taiwan.

Praising Barbados for sustaining and deepening its "One China" policy, the Chinese ambassador said China "attaches great importance to the development of relations with the Caribbean Community".

Beijing, he explained, now has a Special Envoy for Caribbean Affairs and Barbados had made a worthwhile contribution to such a policy.