Grenada. (File photo: social media)

Grenada is a country in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea at the southern end of the Grenadines island chain. Grenada consists of the island of Grenada itself plus six smaller islands which lie to the north of the main island.

Grenada is known as the "Island of Spice" due to its production of nutmeg and mace crops, of which it is one of the world's largest exporters. The national bird of Grenada is the critically endangered Grenada dove.

Located in the Eastern Caribbean, Grenada boasts beautiful tropical island scenery, and is rich in spice and tropical fruits, making tourism its most important source of economic development.

FACTS

Capital and largest city: St. George's

Population: 112,000 (2017)

Area: 344 square kilometers

Major languages: English, Grenadian Creole English, Grenadian Creole French

Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Economy 

Grenada’s economy revolves around agriculture and tourism. The main economic data for the 2017 fiscal year are as follows:

Gross domestic product (GDP): $11.11 billion.

Per capita GDP: $10,328.

GDP growth rate: 2.55 percent

Politics 

Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II

Governor-General of Grenada: Cécile La Grenade

Prime Minister: Keith Mitchell

Grenada is a member in the United Nations (UN), a full and participating member of both the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and the Organization of American States.

On 29 March, H.E. Dr. Zhao Yongchen, Chinese Ambassador to Grenada meets with Hon. Gregory Bowen, Grenadian Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure Development, Public Utilities, Energy, Transport & Implementation. (File photo: Embassy of People's Republic of China in Grenada)

Relations with China

Grenada established diplomatic ties with China on Oct. 1, 1985. Two sides agreed to resume their official ties in early 2005.

The two countries maintained high-level exchanges and deepened political mutual trust.

In May 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Grenadian Governor-General Cecile La Grenade on her assumption of office.

In June, during his visit to Trinidad and Tobago, Xi met with Grenadian Prime Minister Keith Mitchell. In September, Fan Xiaojian, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, visited Grenada. In October, a delegation of the Grenadian ruling New National Party visited China.

Business and cultural exchanges kept a sound momentum. In December, a track and field rehabilitation and reconstruction project assisted by China began construction. In November, a delegation from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Tianjin Sub-council and China Chamber of International Commerce Tianjin Chamber of Commerce visited Grenada. In October, Grenadian senior police officers attended the Forum for Senior Defense Officials from Caribbean and South Pacific Countries held in China.

China and Grenada signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on Belt and Road (B&R) construction, Xinhua news agency reported.

The two parties pledged to advance cooperation under the B&R framework to achieve win-win results.