Chinese president meets Jamaican PM

BEIJING, Aug. 22 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met here on Thursday with Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, vowing to beef up bilateral cooperation.

Xi said Jamaica is China's biggest trading partner in the Caribbean region and the two sides should enhance cooperation in areas of mutual investment and infrastructure construction.

He said China encourages domestic enterprises to invest in Jamaica and support local economic and social development.

"Jamaica is an important country in the Caribbean region, and China is ready to work with Jamaica to jointly push forward the relationship between China and Caribbean countries," said Xi.

Miller said her visit has achieved fruitful results and the two sides have signed important cooperative agreements.

Jamaica values the traditional friendship with China and is willing to enhance the cooperative partnership with China, she said, adding that Jamaica welcomes investment from Chinese enterprises.

She also said Jamaica firmly supports China on issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Prime Minister said Jamaica is willing to help China train track and field athletes.

She said China's development is an important opportunity for Jamaica and other Caribbean countries and Jamaica is willing to actively boost friendly cooperation between Caribbean countries and China.

She said Jamaica hopes China maintains its development and plays a bigger role in the international arena, so as to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of small and mid-sized states and contribute to the establishment of a just and equitable international order.

Xi said China's development will make a greater contribution to the world peace and the cause of human development.

China understands the concern of Jamaica and other small island nations on the sustainable development issue, he said, calling on the international community to accommodate the needs of these countries and offer them more support and help.

China is willing to work with Jamaica to strengthen coordination and jointly safeguard the long-term interests of developing countries, said the president.

Miller is on a visit to China from Aug. 20 to 25 as guest of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.