BEIJING, China: The Grenada opposition (NDC) delegation on an official visit to China has begun meetings in Beijing. The delegation headed by Opposition Leader Tillman Thomas met with the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Cheng Siwei, just hours after arriving Thursday morning. Siwei spoke of the workings of the Congress, the equivalent of the country's parliament, as well as the strides China has made in agriculture. He said that the relations between China and Grenada can benefit both countries. The opposition delegation is expected to impress on their hosts the need for support of Grenada's agriculture sector, as well as in industrial development and help with education. The two sides are also expected to discuss party-to-party co-operation. Thomas spoke of the need for Grenada to learn from China in the area of agriculture especially since the setback in the sector through the losses suffered from Hurricanes Ivan and Emily. Senator Keith Clouden, who represents farmers in the Grenada parliament, and who is part of the seven-member delegation said he hopes to visit agricultural farms so that he can bring back some of the experiences of the Chinese applicable to Grenada. The delegation meets with officials from the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday. They leave for the province of Xian on Sunday. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com