China president won't meet with states that recognise Taiwan

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who arrives in Trinidad Friday for a three-day state visit, has also planned to meet with CARICOM leaders whose countries have diplomatic ties with Beijing.

Trinidad and Tobago established diplomatic relations with China in 1974 and has always recognised the "One China" policy, which deems Taiwan to be a state within the People's Republic.

However that position is not shared by all CARICOM members. At least four states have recognised Taiwan as a separate state and have strong connections with it.

They are Belize, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis. That means their leaders, Dean Barrow, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Dr Kenny Anthony and Dr Denzil Douglas won't be meeting with Xi because it would be a breach of protocol for the Chinese leader to meet with states that recognise Taiwan.

Xi's meeting with the CARICOM leaders is scheduled for Sunday in Port of Spain. The leaders who are expected to attend are Guyanese President Donald Ramotar, the President of Suriname Desi Bouterse, along with the Prime Ministers Portia Simpson-Miller (Jamaica), Freundel Stuart (Barbados), Dr Keith Mitchell (Grenada), Baldwin Spencer (Antigua and Barbuda) and Roosevelt Skerrit (Domi­nica).

The leaders are expected to discuss Chinese investments in trade and economic development in the Caribbean region. That would also be the principal agenda intem in bilateral talks between Xi and Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar.