Barbados reaffirms ‘One China Policy’ at global forum

Barbados has reaffirmed its commitment to the ‘One China Policy’ at an international forum on democracy and sustainable development goals (SDGs) in China.

Government backbencher Edmund Hinkson, representing Barbados at the event, declared: “We will continue to recognise ‘the One China’ policy in furtherance of the mutual respect which our two nations have for each other.”

The policy acknowledges the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate Government of China, without recognising Taiwan as a separate sovereign entity.

Hinkson expressed gratitude for China’s financial and technical assistance over the 47 years since diplomatic relations were established in 1977. He was speaking at the 40th anniversary of the National People’s Congress’ affiliation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the 2024 Interregional Seminar on the Achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals for Parliaments of Developing Countries.

In his presentation on Developing democracies suited to national conditions to provide strong underpinning for modernisation, Hinkson stressed that while each nation has the sovereign authority to establish its own constitutional framework, governance must involve participatory decision-making for the benefit of the population.

“Although there is no one-size-its-all system of democracy, Barbados, just as does the People’s Republic of China, agrees that our respective democracies must serve for the improvement in, betterment and progression of the sustainable lives of all of our respective populations,” Hinkson said.

The forum provided an opportunity for Bridgetown to reaffirm its foreign policy stance and showcase its developmental priorities on the international stage.

The MP highlighted the country’s commitment to people-oriented sustainable development goals, aiming to advance its democracy and achieve developed nation status. He outlined the government’s efforts to eliminate intergenerational poverty, improve the lives of vulnerable groups, and maintain free education from early childhood through university.

Hinkson also noted Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s leadership in advocating for action to reduce small island states’ vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters.

He explained that such reduction would help mitigate against the adverse effects of the climate crisis as well as build resilience to natural disasters such as hurricanes and storms which can in a few hours wipe out all the social, economic and infrastructural progress made over the last few decades.

Hinkson highlighted Barbados’ calls for reform of the international financial and geopolitical institutional order to address inequalities between sovereign states.

“We have taken the lead,” he said, “in calls for reform of the international financial and geopolitical institutional order so that inequalities in the global architecture between sovereign states, to the detriment of the further modernisation of our nation, our fellow CARICOM member states and former African, Caribbean and Pacific colonies which were not present at Bretton Woods, can be reduced for the benefit of not only our respective democracies, but for that of worldwide democracy.”

The government’s priorities, according to Hinkson, include environmental sustainability, renewable energy advancement, creating a green economy by 2035, ensuring food security, and promoting industrial development through technological innovation.

The MP recalled that In November 2021, Barbados became the first and only country this century to transition to republic status, fully democratising its political framework and modernising its governance structure.

“We are determined to twin this new improved psychological position of our people to our goal of achieving modernisation through sustained, inclusive and sustainable social and economic growth in our country, within the context of peace, justice and security,” Hinkson said.