ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Monday January 3, 2011 – China and Antigua and Barbuda have signed four bilateral agreements for the construction of a new airport terminal in the twin-island republic and cooperation in a wide range of areas.
The four agreements pave the way for the commencement of a number of projects including the construction of a new terminal building at the V.C. Bird International Airport, for which China will provide US$45 million, and the provision of laptop computers for the government’s “One Laptop per Child” programme.
Under the agreements the two countries will also cooperate on economic and technical issues and strengthen bilateral, scientific and technological cooperation.
The signing took place during the visit of China’s top female politician, State Councilor Madame Liu Yandong.
Madame Yandong and a delegation comprising six Chinese ministers and vice-ministers came to Antigua last Friday for a two-day trip that also coincided with the 28th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Antigua and Barbuda and the People’s Republic of China.
It was the only Caribbean stop in a four-nation tour that also takes her to Chile, Ecuador and Colombia.
China is definitely making its mark in the Caribbean and Latin America with development assistance. This is what Taiwan should be doing in St. Lucia . . . assisting us with sustainable development programmes; not pappy show "ti canal" projects aimed for political gains of a certain political party. That's corruption assistance, not development assistance. Come to think of it, Taiwan cannot point to one major development project that compares favorably to any the Chinese projects. all it has done is to fill the Ministers pockets with money. In the case of Tucker, he has gotten over 4 million!
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