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Contact:
George Jude
Friday, September 24, 2004 -
For a country whose size and population is unimaginably minute compared to
China’s, St. Lucia has definitely made a great and lasting impression on the
ancient, giant People’s Republic.
St. Lucia’s gigantic stature was quite evident at a meeting between Vice
President Zeng Qinghong, the number two man in China and Governor-General, Her
Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, who is heading the Saint Lucia delegation at
the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
They discussed several issues relating to mutual cooperation and respect for
each other’s sovereignty. The Vice President thanked the Government of St. Lucia
for its support in a number of areas, including:
St. Lucia’s support for China to host the 28th Conference of the World Heritage
Committee this year on June 30 – July 5, at which the Pitons made the list of
World Heritage Sites;
St. Lucia’s support for China as an observer at the Organization of American
States (OAS) conference held this year;
St. Lucia’s support for China’s bid to host the World Exposition in Shanghi in
2010;
St. Lucia’s already-expressed support for China to become a member of the
Council of the Universal Postal Union, coming in October this year;
St. Lucia’s support of China’s candidature on the Committee for the Elimination
of all forms of Discrimination against Women in August this year;
St. Lucia’s support of China’s candidacy for the Executive Council of the World
Meteorological Council elections in May 2003;
St. Lucia’s support each year for China’s opposition to Taiwan’s attempt to
squeeze into the United Nations; and
St. Lucia and China’s support for each other at the International Civil Aviation
Organization, where St. Lucia seeks Category 3 and China, Category 1.
Vice President Zeng Qinghong pledged
his Government’s continued friendship and support for the Government and people
of St. Lucia.
In an interview with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
People’s Republic of China to St. Lucia, His Excellency Mr. Gu Huaming, he said,
“The Chinese Government took the Governor-General’s visit very seriously,
because St. Lucia is a great friend and supporter of China … we would like to
continue this spirit of friendship and mutual respect for each other’s
sovereignty. Ambassador Gu Huaming took time off to be with the Governor-General
at every event and in every city.
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