H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming Visits the British Virgin Islands

 

From 10 to 11 January 2017, the Chinese Ambassador to the UK H.E. Liu Xiaoming visited the British Virgin Islands at the invitation of the Government of the British Virgin Islands. During the visit, Ambassador Liu met with H.E. the Governor of the British Virgin Islands Mr. John Duncan OBE and Premier and Minister of Finance and Tourism Dr. the Honourable Daniel Orlando Smith OBE, and attended the welcoming dinner hosted by the Premier and his wife. Ambassador Liu also had  discussions with Deputy Premier Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering, Minister of Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie Skelton, Minister of Education and Culture Honourable Myron Walwyn, and people from finance, business and tourism circles.

 

Ambassador Liu said that the China-UK relations enjoyed sound development momentum. Collaborations between localities of the two countries have grown stronger. China and the British Virgin Islands have broad prospects of cooperation in the fields of finance, economy, trade and tourism. Ambassador Liu appreciated the British Virgin Islands for having attached great importance to cooperation with China and established its only overseas representative office outside the UK in Hong Kong. He hoped that the two sides could make full use of the opportunities created in the "Golden Era", "roll up sleeves to work harder" and further expand mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to achieve more pragmatic results in the new year.

 

 

Governor Duncan and Premier Smith extended their welcome to Ambassador Liu, saying that this had been the first visit of the Chinese ambassador to the UK to the British Virgin Islands, which is of great significance to further promoting bilateral cooperation in various fields. They respectively briefed the Ambassador on the political, economic and cultural situation of the British Virgin Islands as well as the development features, especially the unique advantages in financial and legal services. They stressed that the British Virgin Islands cherish the long-term friendly relations with China, and is willing to continue strengthening ties with China and further exploring cooperative potentials in all aspects including through the "One Belt One Road" Initiative.

 

Members of the local business community at the discussion welcomed the Chinese Ambassador's visit. Exchanging views with Ambassador Liu increased their confidence in China's economic prospects and in cooperation with China. They talked about their respective sectors and professional advantages, and they expressed their willingness and shared specific ideas on further enhancing cooperation with China.