President Xi’s address to the UN general assembly
The 75th General Assembly of the United Nations took place virtually earlier this week. In his address, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted what has to be done to defeat the Covid-19 virus: put people and life first; enhance solidarity and get through this together; adopt comprehensive, long term measures; and accommodate the needs of developing countries, especially in Africa. The speech is available on the website of the Chinese embassy in Barbados.
The last kilometer in China's poverty alleviation effort
At an international seminar held online this week, with the theme "The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and China's Experience in Poverty Alleviation," former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon praised China's efforts in global poverty alleviation and meeting the UN's 2030 SDGs and millennium development goals (MDGs). CGTN reports here.
Central Bank Digital Currency with Chinese characteristics
“The People’s Bank of China wants to go all the way by adopting a retail CBDC, with commercial banks playing a crucial role. Four major commercial banks, together with the main telecom companies, have been involved in pilot projects, such as the digital currency electronic payments project in Shenzhen.” Commentary from the Official Monetary and Financial Forum, OMFIF.
Understanding who makes what decisions in the Belt and Road Initiative
“The view of BRI as a monolithic masterplan, still common amongst media and policymakers, is as stubborn as it is pernicious. While the Chinese leadership obviously sees great strategic value in BRI and has mobilized vast resources to support it, Beijing could not centrally direct all aspects of Chinese overseas investment even if it wanted to. Instead, as in many policy areas, the leadership articulates the overall direction of travel and, except for a few particularly strategic projects, leaves each piece of the state apparatus to implement that vision as best they can.” Report from the Panda Paw Dragon Claw blog.
The ABCF mission is to build a deeper understanding between the Chinese people and Barbadians and Caribbean people from all walks of life. The association’s focus is on personal experiences, people-to-people contact, cultural exchanges and exchanges of ideas, and the facilitation of travel, business and study. From the outset we aim to learn from and build on the experiences of the Caribbean and China, and to develop mutual understandings and support that will be to the benefit of both sides.
