Above: Grenada Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and Chinese Vice Minister for Commerce Li Jinzao

By the Caribbean Journal staff

China has officially handed over a recently-completed 353-unit housing project to the government of Grenada.

The “Mt Gay” community will be used as housing for low-income families in the country.

“What we see before us is an indication of the harmonious relationship between our two countries,” Grenada Prime Minister Tillman Thomas said. “I am extremely pleased to be here today and to participate in yet another manifestation of the fruitfulness of the relationship between Grenada and the People’s Republic of China.”

Grenada severed ties with Taiwan in favour of relations with China in 2005.

Thomas said applications to live in the units had “far exceeded what is available.”

The government is reportedly conducting a selection process to see that the units “are received by families that meet the stipulated criteria,” he said.

The project was a combination of construction work by Chinese and Grenadian contractors.

The handing-over ceremony was attended by Chinese Vice Minister for Commerce Li Jinzao.