Leaders highlight economic ties (2)

Economy: Country welcomes investment

Jon Taylor, professor of political science at the University of St Thomas in Houston, said Xi's visit to the Caribbean is part of a larger effort on the part of China to promote closer diplomatic relations to complement improved economic ties with the region.

"I think that those who see politics or ideology behind his visit might be missing the bigger picture," he said.

Persad-Bissessar said her nation was making efforts to diversify its economy, and Chinese investors were welcome. She proposed more cooperation in healthcare, as well as holding an annual Caribbean music festival in China.

To intensify exchanges and cooperation, the prime minister announced that the country plans to establish an embassy in Beijing this year, as well as an affiliated culture center that will promote the creative industries of the island nation's cultural exchanges, seminars and exhibitions.

She plans to visit China in November.

She also said Trinidad and Tobago is diversifying its economy and has set six industries as priorities - maritime, energy, food, creative, tourism and financial services - and welcomed investment by Chinese enterprises.

Shannon O'Neil, senior fellow for Latin American studies at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, said the Caribbean and Latin America are increasingly important for the production of raw materials, as well as the consumption of goods.