Rowley was invited to state events in honour of Chinese president

Keith Rowley

Government officials say Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley was invited to State functions in honour of President of China Xi Jinping, who arrived in T&T Friday. 

Public Relations Officer of the PNM, Faris Al-Rawi, told reporters Thursday that as far as he was aware, Rowley was not invited to any of the events, including a State banquet. 

“He was not invited to any of the events concerning the President of China. He received an invitation by fax from the President’s office yesterday (Wednesday), but he had already left for Tobago so he went on his business,” Al-Rawi added.

However officials confirmed to JYOTI that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sent an invitation for the formal welcome of Xi and that an invitation to the state banquet was also sent to the opposition leader.

Two members of the opposition parliamentary caucus - Donna Cox and Paula Gopee-Scoon - attended the banquet at the Hilton Hotel.

Rowley reportedly left for Tobago to spend the long weekend there.