This is President Xi's first visit to Latin America and the Caribbean. The visit is being warmly welcomed by locals.

It will be a historic visit. For the first time in 39 years, a Chinese President is visiting Trinidad and Tobago.

Many people there believe President Xi Jinping's visit is a good sign. It shows China attaches great importance to bilateral ties.

Hayden Pritchard, security advisor of Trinidad and Tobago defense force, said, "It's the first visit we had from Chinese President. And that is significant. It’s an indicator as to how important Trinidad and Tobago is to China. And because of that significance, we expect the relationship between the two sides goes stronger."

Apart from diplomatic ties, trade relations between the two have seen a huge increase.

Trade volume reached 6 billion US dollars in 2011, a record. And many expect Xi's visit can help push that figure higher.

Vasant Bharath, Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, said, "And clearly, we would be very happy to welcome Chinese and to see more Chinese busineesman to come and visit, not only for trade, but also to set up manufacture facilities for the 6 billion people in South and Central Latin America."

Scholars in Trinidad and Tobago say they are impressed by the way the new leadership communicates with ordinary people.

And they expect the two countries can start a new chapter of cooperation.

Bishnu Ragoonath, expert, said, "As an academic, I know some of the changes that are going to happen. And I think it's the new generation leadership, that is what we know the new leadership has brought together."

Local people say they are familiar with China. They have China-made buildings, food, clothes and domestic appliances.

Ravi, resident, said, "I know China is a big manufacturer, and they produce many products. So we welcome anybody to show whatever they know, so that we can learn from them."

Currently, the China-Latin America relationship is experiencing healthy growth. Both sides are maintaining high-level exchanges and developing cooperation in various fields. The visit is will play an important role in promoting cooperation between China and Latin America.

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