The Boston Herald reports that China has agreed to finance road, housing, and shoreline renovation projects totaling $500 million in Jamaica. The agreement was reached during a visit by Prime Minister Bruce Golding and private sector representatives who are in China in search of economic aid.

Projects include affordable-home construction and the renovation of a shoreline leading to Kingston’s international airport that was severely damaged by hurricanes Ivan and Dean in 2004 and 2007. Foreign Affairs Minister Kenneth Baugh did not specify whether the money was a donation or a loan in a statement issued Thursday.

See article and photo (of Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding with Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China) at http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/americas/view/20100205china_pledges_500m_for_homes_roads_in_jamaica/