Above: Bridgetown (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

A contingent of Barbados cabinet ministers welcomed a high-level Chinese delegation to the island this week, part of a drive to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC) was greeted by Acting Foreign Minister Sen. Haynesley Benn, Health Minister Donville Inniss, Transport Minister John Boyce and Education Minister Ronald Jones.

The Chinese delegation was led by Zhang Gaoli, member of the CPC’s Political Bureau.

According to Jones, China and Barbados have a growing relationship in education, with an increasing number of Barbadian students benefiting from Chinese scholarships, something he called “cross-fertilisation which better equips our citizens to handle employment and business.”

Jones said Barbados saw the advantages of young Barbadians being able to speak Mandarin, and requiring knowledge of Chinese culture and history.

The two countries have enjoyed 35 years of diplomatic relations.

The three-day visit includes a meeting with Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, who made a high-profile trip to China in 2011, when he met with Premier Wen Jibao.

Barbados has been looking to China as a potential feeder market for tourism.