China vows to deepen Caribbean ties despite US push for influence

China says it intends to continue with “high-quality” Belt and Road cooperation in the region even as the United States shifts its focus back to the Western Hemisphere, stressing that countries reserve the right to choose their global partners.

Chinese Ambassador Wang Jinfeng, who was speaking to journalists at a media briefing at his residence on Thursday, declined to comment on the North American country’s latest investment of US$340 million in the region but said his government’s partnerships would continue.

“Jamaica and Latin American countries have the right to choose their friends based on their own decision,” the ambassador said.