Prime Minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell paid an official visit to China, January 11-17, becoming the first head of government to visit in 2025. The visit, which took in Beijing, Shanghai and Zhejiang province, also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Announcing the visit at a January 9 press conference of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that Grenada is an important country in the Caribbean region and an important partner of China in the region, adding that since the resumption of diplomatic ties, China and Grenada have always respected each other and treated each other as equals, understood and supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and maintained sound and steady development of bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Mitchell met with the senior leaders of China on January 13.
President Xi Jinping said that China is willing to provide assistance for Grenada’s economic and social development within the framework of South-South cooperation. The two countries should foster new highlights of cooperation in fields such as new energy, green and low-carbon development, and digital economy.
Xi noted that in recent years, China-Grenada relations have developed steadily, with the two sides treating each other with mutual respect and equality, consolidating political mutual trust, achieving fruitful results in practical cooperation in various fields, and deepening the friendship between the two peoples.
China supports Grenada in independently exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to strengthen exchanges of governance experience.
Xi added that China also supports Grenada in enhancing its capacity in climate change response and disaster prevention and mitigation, and will continue to raise international awareness of small island countries’ concerns over climate change and their demands. China has always attached great importance to its relations with Caribbean countries and will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for the economic and social development of regional countries.
Mitchell expressed appreciation for China’s timely assistance after Grenada was hit by a devastating hurricane in July last year. Over the past 20 years, the Grenada-China relations have been continuously deepened, and Grenada firmly abides by the one-China principle and believes that China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected, he added.
He said Grenada, having benefited a lot from its relations with China, will continuously strengthen cooperation with China and learn from China’s experience in governance.
In his meeting with his Grenadian counterpart, Premier Li Qiang said that China is willing to align development strategies with Grenada, adding that based on the joint efforts in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the two sides should deepen cooperation in traditional sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure and healthcare, while expanding cooperation in emerging fields, including new energy, the digital economy and the blue economy.
He said that China is ready to assist Grenada and other Caribbean nations in climate adaptation to promote the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. China will work with Grenada to jointly safeguard the interests of the Global South, promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Mitchell commended China’s remarkable contributions in poverty alleviation, which are exemplary particularly for developing countries. The prime minister also expressed appreciation for China’s long-standing support and assistance to Grenada’s economic and social development and praised China’s role in leading the development of the Global South.
Following the talks, the two premiers witnessed the signing of 13 bilateral cooperation documents in areas including jointly building the Belt and Road, economy, trade, green development, culture, media and climate change. The full list and many other interesting details of the visit may be found on the Facebook page of The Office of the Prime Minister of Grenada.
Prime Minister Mitchell also met with Zhao Leji, Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.
A Xinhua News Agency article from the Grenadian capital St. George’s focused on China’s contribution to the country’s sports facilities, noting:
“Cricket is a beloved sport in Grenada and other Caribbean island nations. The outdoor team sport is not only an integral part of Grenadians’ daily life, but also a source of national pride.
“Located on the coast in the capital of St. George’s, the National Cricket Stadium and the adjacent National Athletic Stadium together form Grenada’s National Stadium. They were rebuilt by Chinese enterprises with aid from the Chinese government after the resumption of diplomatic ties between China and Grenada in 2005.
“The circular cricket stadium is the largest single structure construction in this Eastern Caribbean island nation, which can accommodate up to 15,000 spectators. It has hosted a wide range of games, such as the 2007 Cricket World Cup, while also serving as a venue for the country’s large celebrations, cultural events and entertainment activities.”
Zhang Xiang, the project’s technical team leader, said that despite challenges such as floods, hurricanes and the lack of large machinery, the Chinese team has been advancing the project safely and with high quality, and the project is expected to be completed by summer this year. He added that the Chinese company responsible hired local construction workers and fully utilised local building materials, meanwhile offering technical training, which will boost the development of the local construction industry.
Junior Murray was the first Grenadian to play for the West Indies cricket team and is now coaching the younger generation. His name is prominently displayed at the National Cricket Stadium in recognition of his achievements. He told Xinhua: “The stadium is a really good thing for our country. I think China is doing a fantastic job,” adding that he believes that after the renovation, the stadium will host more international games and help more Grenadian athletes enhance their skills to make their dreams come true.
During his stay in Beijing, Dickon Mitchell was interviewed by Zou Yun for CGTN’s Leaders Talk program. Filmed at mid-point of his China visit, it also featured lively footage of the Prime Minister’s visits to an electric vehicle centre, the history museum of the Communist Party of China, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.
Giving his impressions of his first in-person meeting with President Xi, Mitchell praised the Chinese leader for his calm and thoughtful approach to international issues, where he advocates for the interests of the Global South and for world peace. Stressing that peace and security are necessary prerequisites for development, the prime minister drew a firm line of demarcation with the unilateral sanctions and international bullying practiced by some countries. He specifically referred to the need to defend Panamanian sovereignty regarding the Panama Canal, adding that in the coming period multilateralism, diplomacy and dialogue are going to be more vital than ever.
With a clear and long-term vision based on accountability to the people, Xi Jinping, as one of the world’s most important statesmen, is doing an important job not just for China but also for the Global South.
Reflecting on his own upbringing in a small hillside village, where most of the people lacked electricity and running water, he said that China’s people-centred development was an inspiration for humanity.
The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency. We also embed the Prime Minister’s interview with CGTN.
Xi meets Grenadian PM, calls for advancing bilateral ties
BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that China is willing to provide assistance for Grenada’s economic and social development within the framework of South-South cooperation.
The two countries should foster new highlights of cooperation in fields such as new energy, green and low-carbon development, and digital economy, Xi said in Beijing when he met with Prime Minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell, who is paying an official visit to China.
Mitchell first extended sincere sympathies and condolences to the Chinese government and people over the recent deadly earthquake in Dingri County in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region.
Xi expressed his appreciation for that. Noting that the earthquake occurred in a high-altitude area, Xi said China has completed rescue and temporary resettlement work in the shortest possible time and will carry out reconstruction work as quickly as possible.
“The Chinese government is confident and capable of achieving success in earthquake relief,” Xi said.
Xi noted that in recent years, China-Grenada relations have developed steadily, with the two sides treating each other with mutual respect and equality, consolidating political mutual trust, achieving fruitful results in practical cooperation in various fields, and deepening the friendship between the two peoples.
China is willing to work with Grenada to enhance the synergy of development strategies and push for more outcomes of bilateral cooperation to better benefit the two peoples, he added.
China supports Grenada in independently exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to strengthen exchanges of governance experience with Grenada, Xi said.
He said China also supports Grenada in enhancing its capacity in climate change response and disaster prevention and mitigation, and will continue to raise international awareness of small island countries’ concerns over climate change and their demands.
China advocates an equal and orderly multi-polar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and is ready to work with Grenada to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said.
He added that China has always attached great importance to its relations with Caribbean countries and will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for the economic and social development of regional countries.
Mitchell expressed appreciation for China’s timely assistance after Grenada was hit by a devastating hurricane in July last year.
Over the past 20 years, the Grenada-China relations have been continuously deepened, and Grenada firmly abides by the one-China principle and believes that China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected, Mitchell said.
He said Grenada, having benefited a lot from its relations with China, will continuously strengthen cooperation with China and learn from China’s experience in governance.
Stressing China’s leading role in the Global South, Mitchell said Grenada will stand firmly with China to implement the three major global initiatives and safeguard world peace and stability.
China to expand cooperation with Grenada: Chinese premier
BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) — China is willing to align development strategies with Grenada, and expand cooperation with the country in such areas as new energy, the digital economy and the blue economy to enhance China-Grenada mutual beneficial cooperation, said Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday.
Li made the remarks in talks with visiting Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell in Beijing.
Li noted that over the past 20 years since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Grenada, both sides have upheld mutual respect and equality, maintained close high-level exchanges, and expanded pragmatic cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples.
China will work with Grenada to consolidate political mutual trust, provide firm support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and continuously expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields to elevate bilateral relations to a new level, said Li.
China is willing to align development strategies with Grenada, Li stressed, adding that based on the joint efforts in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the two sides should deepen cooperation in traditional sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure and healthcare, while expanding cooperation in emerging fields, including new energy, the digital economy and the blue economy.
“China encourages qualified Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Grenada,” Li said.
He said that China is ready to assist Grenada and other Caribbean nations in climate adaptation to promote the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. China will work with Grenada to jointly safeguard the interests of the Global South, promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Li added.
Mitchell commended China’s remarkable contributions in poverty alleviation, which are exemplary particularly for developing countries. The prime minister also expressed appreciation for China’s long-standing support and assistance in Grenada’s economic and social development, and praised China’s role in leading the development of the Global South.
Grenada will continue to firmly abide by the one-China principle, said the prime minister, adding that the country supports the three major global initiatives proposed by China, and will enhance multilateral coordination and cooperation with China.
Following the talks, they witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents in areas including jointly building the Belt and Road, economy, trade, green development, culture, media and climate change.
China-aided renovation of cricket stadium to greatly benefit Grenadians
ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) — Nineteen-year-old Danny Joseph, a player of the Grenada national cricket team, has been professionally trained at the National Cricket Stadium since childhood.
For him, the stadium, where he also spends leisure time playing with friends “is a good place and like a home.”
Joseph dreams to play for the West Indies cricket team in the future. He said he believes that more professional facilities after the stadium’s China-aided renovation will provide higher-quality training opportunities, bringing him closer to his dream.
Cricket is a beloved sport in Grenada and other Caribbean island nations. The outdoor team sport is not only an integral part of Grenadians’ daily life, but also a source of national pride.
Patrick Louison, general manager of the Grenada National Stadium Authority, said that the stadium under renovation by a Chinese company has played a significant role in the life of Grenadians.
“We are grateful for the Chinese to come and do this repair work for us,” Louison told Xinhua on the cricket field.
Located on the coast in the capital of St. George’s, the National Cricket Stadium and the adjacent National Athletic Stadium together form Grenada’s National Stadium. They were rebuilt by Chinese enterprises with aid from the Chinese government after the resumption of diplomatic ties between China and Grenada in 2005.
The circular cricket stadium is the largest single structure construction in this Eastern Caribbean island nation, which can accommodate up to 15,000 spectators. It has hosted a wide range of games, such as the 2007 Cricket World Cup, while also serving as a venue for the country’s large celebrations, cultural events and entertainment activities.
The renovation project aided by the Chinese government and undertaken by Shanghai Baoye Group, a subsidiary company of China Minmetals Corporation, officially commenced in March 2024.
Zhang Xiang, the project’s technical team leader, said that their main tasks include repairing the steel structure of the stands, replacing roof tiles, waterproofing the roof, repainting walls, as well as upgrading systems concerning surveillance, display screens, sound, networking and fire safety.
Despite challenges such as floods, hurricanes and the lack of large machinery, the Chinese team has been advancing the project in safety and with high quality, Zhang said, adding that the project is expected to be completed by summer this year.
Joseph’s coach, Junior Murray, was the first Grenadian to play for the West Indies and has his name prominently displayed at the National Cricket Stadium in recognition of his performance.
Murray, 56, has dedicated his post-retirement career to training Grenada’s next generation of cricket players.
“The stadium is a really good thing for our country. I think China is doing a fantastic job,” Murray said. He believes that after the renovation, the stadium will host more international games and help more Grenadian athletes enhance their skills to make their dreams come true.
While the primary renovation work is near completion, some Chinese and Grenadian workers are repairing the stadium seats. Praising the work of the Chinese team, Louison said he believes that with more events and activities to be held, the stadium will significantly boost local businesses such as catering, lodging and transportation.
Zhang told Xinhua that they hired local construction workers and fully utilized local building materials, meanwhile offering technical training, which will boost the development of local construction industry.
As one of the first major projects following the resumption of diplomatic ties between China and Grenada, the National Cricket Stadium symbolizes the friendship between China and Grenada. Both Murray and Joseph expressed their wish to learn more about China and welcomed more Chinese friends to visit Grenada.
“China is doing a lot for Grenada. We can see things happening here,” Murray said. Over the past two decades, the development of bilateral relations has brought tangible changes to this island nation, he added.
In his opinion, China-proposed initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative have supported Grenada’s economic and social development, “trying to get Grenada at a level that we were never before.”
“We can see our country moving forward,” Murray said.
Louison said the National Cricket Stadium is a testament to China-Grenada friendship, adding that Grenada will seize the opportunities presented by its relationship with China to benefit its people.
“The expectation for the two countries’ friendship is to continue and to grow from strength to strength, stronger every day,” said Louison.
