January 21, 2016: Dr. the Honourable Keith Christopher Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, received His Excellency Chen Changzhi, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, on Wednesday January 20, 2016.

His Excellency Chen is leading a Parliamentary delegation on a visit to Trinidad and Tobago from January 20 to 22, 2016 and includes the Honourable Mr Cai Weizhou, member of the Sanding Committee of the National People’s Congress and Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the People’s Republic of China.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Honourable Faris Al-Rawi, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs; Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry; the Honourable Stuart Young, Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs and officials of the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs.

There was mutual acknowledgement of the strong historical ties between Trinidad and Tobago and China, dating back to over two centuries ago, and the fruitful relations that have since been fostered. During the meeting, discussions centred on cooperation initiatives between both countries in the spheres of agriculture, commerce, culture and health, among others as well as collaboration at the regional and international levels.

The Prime Minister and the Vice-Chairman reaffirmed the commitment of the Governments of Trinidad and Tobago and China to strengthening the bilateral relationship to the mutual benefit of both countries.

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