The new chairman of Caricom, Bahamas’ Prime Minister Perry Christie, has arrived in Beijing and is due to meet with China’s President, Xi Jinping.

Mr Christie is in the Far East to take part in the China/Community of Latin American and Caribbean states (Celac) forum, which begins today.

He is scheduled to deliver a regional statement on behalf of Caricom, according to the umbrella organisation of Caribbean states, and reported in local media.

Bermuda joined Caricom as an associate member in 2003.

Caricom said in a statement: “China is preparing to welcome the chairman of Caricom, Prime Minister of the Bahamas, the Rt Hon Perry Christie, and heads of several Latin American countries for the China/Celac Forum, January 8 and 9, 2015.

“Chinese President Xi Jinping will speak at Thursday’s opening ceremony in Beijing, which will also be attended by the presidents of Costa Rica, Ecuador and Venezuela.

“Prime Minister Christie will deliver a statement on behalf of Caricom.”

Caricom also said that the forum, which has the theme, “New platform, new starting point, new opportunity”, would seek to further boost cooperation between China and the 33-member Celac community.

The Government of the Bahamas also issued a notice about the China visit.

It read: “The first official duty [of Mr Christie] as the chair of Caricom is to represent the region at the China/Celac meetings in Beijing, China, on the 8 and 9 of January.

“The Prime Minister will deliver a statement on behalf of Caricom and is scheduled to meet with the President and Premier of China for discussions on regional issues.

“The visit will also provide an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations with China, including areas of technical cooperation, maritime issues, and a possible air services agreement.”

The 15-member Caricom is committed to policies of economic integration based on a regional single market and economy, and coordination of foreign and defence policies, as well as cooperation in culture.

Associate members such as Bermuda are involved only in the third leg of Caricom’s role, which includes cooperation in education, health, labour relations, tourism, drug control and security, transportation, youth and sports.

Other associate members are the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, British Virgin Islands and Anguilla.