Caribbean ties boosted by new center

China launched a development center with Caribbean countries on Wednesday as Beijing looks to step up cooperation on poverty alleviation, food security, pandemic response and green development with the region.

The China-Caribbean Development Center, which was unveiled in Jinan city in Shandong province, will serve as a catalyst for more high-standard and sustainable cooperation projects to enhance the well-being of people in the Caribbean, said Xie Feng, vice-minister of foreign affairs, during the launch ceremony.

The center, first proposed by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a meeting with ministers of Latin American and Caribbean states in December, represented part of broader efforts to forge an even closer community with a shared future between the two sides.