Grenada Today - The National Newspaper of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique

Former Tourism Minister and current High Commissioner to London, Joslyn Whiteman has been appointed as Grenada's Ambassador-designate to Beijing, China.

The announcement was made by Foreign Affairs Minister Elvin Nimrod at the conclusion of the Grenada China Forum held last Thursday at the Agency for Reconstruction and Development (ARD) at the Botanical Gardens, St. George's.

A ten member delegation headed by Vice Minister for Commerce Liao Xiaoqi from Beijing was in the country last week to follow up on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two countries in January.

Grenada re-established diplomatic relations with China earlier this year ending their 15 year old ties to the Republic of China (ROC) Taiwan, viewed by Beijing as a renegade promise. At the conclusion of the Forum, the Chinese officials signed five agreements with their Grenadian counterparts.

One is for the reconstruction of the National Stadium at Queen's Park, another is for a financial grant to government to the tune of US$2.5 million, Framework for Farm Agreement, Agreement for 10 Scholarships to study in the PRC, as well as a Hand over certificate for US$6 million. Minister Nimrod also announced that the PRC's Ambassador designate to this country is expected to arrive in Grenada on April 1.

He disclosed that a replacement for Whiteman as High Commissioner is being discussed and that an announcement will be made shortly since the person has not yet been confirmed. Former Permanent Secretary in Works, Joseph Charter is the person tipped to replace Whiteman.

Charter served as Grenada's Ambassador to Libya during the 1979-83 rule of the leftwing People's Revolutionary Government (PRG) of late marxist leader, Maurice Bishop. Minister Nimrod also announced that the people directly involved in the construction of the National Stadium are expected in the country soon.He also announced Grenada's support for China's bid for full free market economy status.

In speaking on the decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing, Nimrod reiterated that the PRC is the sole and legal government of China. Calling Taiwan "an inalienable part of Chinese territory", he gave assurances that diplomatic ties with the PRC was suspended in 1989 and not broken.

In addressing the ceremony, Vice Minister Xiaoqi disclosed that his country's assistance to Grenada is of a limited amount. He said the assistance represents the good feeling the people of the PRC have for this country.

According to the Vice Minister of Commerce, the monies given to Grenada by China will be used for projects decided by government while the grant will be used based on the decisions of both sides.