Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Nazim Burke, today welcomed Mr. Chen Changzhi, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and a twenty member delegation to the Prime Minister’s Office. Mr. Burke expressed the appreciation of the government and people of Grenada to the delegation for the assistance and support of the Chinese government, at a time of global economic recession and a challenging environment. “China has been and continues to be a partner in Grenada’s development. We have enjoyed excellent relations and we look forward to further strengthening and deepening those relations,” acting Prime Minister Burke told Mr. Changzhi earlier today. He told the delegation that a “firm foundation for a strong and lasting relationship” has already been laid, adding that Grenada as a small country compared with the PRC, “still face the challenges of building our country”. Mr. Burke updated the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) on areas of cooperation between the two countries and looked forward to the visit next month of the Chairman of China’s Exim Bank. For his part, Mr. Changzhi described Grenada-China relations as “very strong”, and expressed his appreciation for this country’s commitment to the “One China Policy.” He said China is committed to continue supporting the development of Grenada and to expand cooperation. The Chinese official who conveyed “cordial greetings” to Prime Minister Tillman Thomas from the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, said he looks forward to Grenada playing a “more positive role in developing the China-CARICOM relationship.” Finance Minister Nazim Burke has been appointed to act, in the absence of Prime Minister Thomas, who is attending a three day CARICOM Summit in St. Lucia.