Vice President Zeng Qinghong addressed the opening ceremony of the first Ministerial Meeting of the China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in Jamaica on Wednesday and outlined a five-point proposal for closer ties.

They were: to maintain exchanges of high-level visits and cement political relations; to create new forms and explore areas of cooperation; to give full play to government roles in providing quality services; to promote cultural exchanges and enhance mutual friendship; and to enhance consultation and cooperation in safeguarding common interests.

He said that ties with Caribbean nations have deepened over the years, and that the forum is of great significance and will surely give great impetus to exchanges, cooperation and friendship.

According to government figures, trade volume between China and Caribbean countries in 2004 totaled US$2 billion, a 42.5 percent increase on the previous year.

Zeng stressed that the government will continue to provide assistance to Caribbean states without political conditions and to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in them. He also affirmed a commitment to protect the interests of developing countries in various international arenas.

Jamaican Prime Minister Percival Noel James Patterson said the ongoing forum marks "a major milestone" between the people of China and the Caribbean, and opens "a new chapter" in relations.

"An increasing number of Caribbean countries have become committed to the one-China policy and are active participants in mutual cooperation programs," he said.

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, Vice President Carlos Lage Davila of Cuba and Vice President Jules Ajodhia of Surinam, as well as nearly 1,000 government officials and business people were present at the opening ceremony.

Afterward, representatives from China and 11 Caribbean countries signed an action plan for economic and trade cooperation.

The forum was initiated by China in 2004 and will be held every three to four years. The next ministerial meeting will be held in Beijing.

The forum also includes parallel sessions, business conference and networking, and a trade fair.

Zeng flew into Jamaica on Tuesday, the last leg of his tour after Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. He is scheduled to return to Beijing on Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2005)