China donates a large number of face masks to Dominica

Dominica has received a donation of facial masks from the People’s Republic of China on December 3, 2021. The handover ceremony took place at the Chinese Embassy on Friday, where high-rank officials from both nations were present. 

In these challenging times of the COVID-19 outbreak, China provided significant support to Dominica, whether it was about donating vaccines or other technical assistance to boost up the COVID-19 response of the island.   

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit appreciated the efforts of the Chinese government by tweeting, “I would like to thank the People’s Republic of China for the generous donation of full face masks. The govt & people of China continue to support Dominica’s fight against the Covid19 pandemic”. 

The donation was received by the Dominican Minister of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment – Dr Irving McIntyre, along with Foreign Minister Kenneth Darroux, from the Chinese Ambassador – Lin Xianjiang. 

In the month of November, officials of both states have penned down a visa-waiver agreement permitting visa-free travel between the two nations. 

This donation strengthens long deep-rooted friendship and bilateral relations between both countries. 

China’s assistance in COVID response of Dominica: 

China is committed to providing every possible assistance to the island in its COVID-19 response. In the month of September, the Chinese government donated around 30,000 Rapid Antigen Test kits to the island nation. 

While it earlier donated 10,000 PCR Test kits, 20,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID vaccines, ventilators, surgical masks, other protective gear and medical supplies to Dominica. 

These donations have proven to be impeccable in strengthening Dominica’s COVID-19 response, boosting the vaccination drive, testing facilities. 

The Chinese government has also made several investments in the health sector of the island country. An instance of this is – the Dominica – China friendship hospital is also a symbol of strong and deepening diplomatic relations that both nations have. 

 Earlier, while praising the efforts of the Chinese government, PM Skerrit cited, “Once again, China has proven to be a good and reliable friend to developing countries like Dominica”. 

Dominican government abide by the ‘one-China policy”. China has always been a true friend to Dominica. 

In October, China donated an MRI machine to the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital in Roseau, making it the first nation in the Caribbean region who obtain the device.

Diplomatic relations between China and Dominica: 

Both the nations officially established bilateral relations on March 23, in the year 2004, sharing long-withstanding relations, whether it is trade, healthcare, educational investment and others sectors. 

If we look at the statistics, in the year 2020, China imports from Dominica were recorded worth US$661.35. 

These imports include – pieces of apparel, knit or crocheted, Footwear, gaiters and the like, electrical, electronic equipment, plastics, machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers, pharmaceutical products, optical, photo, technical, medical apparatus, commodities not specified according to kind, essential oils, perfumes, cosmetics, toiletries, and tools, implements, cutlery of base metal. 

Apart from this, there are several scholarships that are being provided by China to Dominican students, such as – 

• HKADC Overseas Arts Administration Scholarships 
• POGO-SCOR Visiting Fellowships For Developing Countries, 2020 
• Liverpool University Entry Scholarships, 2017 
• National Arts Council Arts Scholarships in Singapore, 2021 
• Research Scholarship 
• Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program, 2020 
• Royal Society International Exchange Programme, 2020 
• NWO Rubicon Scholarship, 2018 
• Momeni Iranian Financial Assistance Scholarships, 2020 
• USTB Chancellor’s Scholarship Program, 2017 and various others. 

The students who are looking forward to obtaining a degree from renowned Chinese universities on a scholarship basis can visit the website at – https://www.wemakescholars.com/scholarships-for-dominican-students-to-study-in-china. 

The investments done by China in Dominica are never-ending as both nations look forward to robust their friendship and diplomatic ties.