Chinese head of state congratulates Dominica’s new president

Chinese President, Xi Jinping, has congratulated Sylvanie Burtion as she assumes office as the new president of Dominica.

In a message to Burton, Xi stated that Dominica is a sincere and reliable friend in the Caribbean region.

He said that since the two countries established diplomatic relations, they have always supported each other and treated each other as equals.

According to the Chinese president, the two countries have consolidated mutual political trust and practical cooperation which has yielded fruitful results and deepening friendship between their peoples.

Xi also praised Dominica for what he said is the island’s unwavering support for China’s position on key issues and major concerns.

“I highly prize the development of bilateral relations and am willing to work with President Burton to take next year’s 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to lift bilateral friendly relations to higher levels, so as to deliver more benefits to both peoples,” the Chinese president stated.

Dominica and China established diplomatic relations in 2004 under the Roosevelt Skerrit-led Dominica Labour Party administration.

Since then, China has funded major infrastructure projects on the island including, Windsor Park Sports Stadium, the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, the New Town Primary School, the York Valley Bridge, and the West Coast Road post-Erika rehabilitation project, amongst others.

In early September, it was announced that Bejing had agreed to fund the construction of six schools on the island totaling US$ 30 million.

“There is no denying that Dominica has benefited from repeated expressions of true friendship from the People’s Republic of China,” PM Skerrit said back then.

Burton was elected president of Dominica during the Fifth Meeting of The First Session of The 11th Parliament on September 27, 2023.

She was sworn in on October 2.

She is the first woman and indigenous person to assume the highest office in the land.

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