Six foreign aid training programs hosted by the Chinese government for Latin American, Caribbean, and South Pacific countries have begun in Xiamen.
According to a press release posted on the Ministry of Commerce website, the programs cover areas including investment, journalism, tourism, agricultural technology, and personnel training. Officials from 25 Latin American, Caribbean and South Pacific countries and related world organizations, their ambassadors to China, officials from Chinese Ministry of Commerce, and local officials from Fujian Province and Xiamen municipal government attended the opening ceremony. Assistant Minister Chen Jian spoke at the event.
Chen expressed China's wish to strengthen cooperation and exchange with Latin American, Caribbean and South Pacific countries, and recognized the importance of hosting training programs in promoting mutual understanding and deepening bilateral ties.
Deputy Secretary-General of the Association of Caribbean States expressed her gratitude, on behalf of the countries involved in the training programs, towards the Chinese government and the generous aid from China. The Caribbean countries were always ready and willing to cooperate with China and boost bilateral exchanges, she said.
The current training program will last for 6 months, during which officials in the program are to visit Beijing, Xi'an, and other Chinese cities to hold seminars and do field research.
Human resources development is an important part of China's foreign aid project. By the end of 2006, China had trained over 86,000 people for developing countries. This year, the training programs that ended in July included 5,425 people.
